Principals appointed for 17 D.C. schools
(Published online July 7, 2006)
Seventeen principals were named today to head D.C. public schools, replacing administrators who have retired, resigned or otherwise been removed from their positions.
"These new principals bring a level of expertise, energy and professionalism that will allow them to help their teachers get the best out of our students," Superintendent Clifford B. Janey said in a written statement announcing the appointments.
Sixteen of the new principals have experience working for the D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) system, and eight are graduates of the "New Leaders for New Schools" program. The New York-based nonprofit program, which trains individuals to become public school principals in the nation's capital and several other cities, is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Broad Foundation, New Schools Venture Fund, the Kimsey Foundation, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and others.
Principal positions at about a dozen schools, including Anacostia Senior High and Sousa Middle School, remain to be filled before the start of the new school year in September, according to DCPS spokeswoman Roxanne Evans. Last month, Janey discharged Anacostia principal James Wilson, who had headed the school for the past three years. Longtime Sousa principal William Lipscomb has retired.
The following new principals were announced today:
- Beers Elementary – Gwendolyn Payton, who served as assistant principal at Burroguhs Elementary as part of the New Leaders for New Schools program, will replace principal Sherry Eichorn, who resigned. Payton previously taught at Emery Elementary and worked as a selector and fellow adviser for the D.C. Teaching Fellows Initiative. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from York College and a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of the District of Columbia.
- Brown Middle School – Darrin Slade, former principal of Fletcher-Johnson Education Center, will replace retiring principal Rita Johnson. Fletcher-Johnson is among schools that will be closed.
- Clark Elementary – Brearn Wright Jr., a New Leaders for New Schools graduate who served as assistant principal last year at Ferebee-Hope Elementary, will replace Barbara McElwain, who was removed pending reassignment last month as the school's principal. Wright, who has taught social studies in secondary schools in Maryland and New Jersey, holds a bachelor's degree in history from Lake Forest College and a master's degree in teaching and curriculum from the Harvard University.
- Garfield Elementary – Tammy Thomas, who recently served as an assistant principal at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School as part of the New Leaders for New Schools program, will replace Viola Smith as principal. Thomas, who previously taught elementary school for 10 years, holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Johnson C. Smith University.
- Gibbs Elementary – Kimberly R. Davis, who served last year as interim principal at Houston Elementary, will replace principal Jennie Jones-Sanders, who has been promoted to an academic services position at DCPS school headquarters. Davis, who served as assistant principal at Drew Elementary as part of the New Leaders for New Schools program, previously worked as a challenge grant coordinator and taught elementary school in the Prince George's County Public Schools. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from McDaniel College.
- Hine Junior High – Willie Jackson, who served as interim principal last year, has been appointed principal. He previously served as an assistant principal at Walk-Jones Elementary. He holds a bachelor's degree in science from Cheyney University and a master's degree in educational leadership from George Mason University.
- Hyde Elementary – Dana L. Nerenberg, a New Leaders for New Schools graduate, will take over the helm from retiring principal Anne Jenkins after serving recently as a resident principal at Amidon Elementary School. Nerenberg, who holds a bachelor's degree in history and public policy from Duke University and a master's degree in school administration and supervision from Johns Hopkins University, previously taught at Gage-Eckington Elementary and Friendship-Edison Public Charter School.
- Kelly Miller Middle School – Sheena Tuckson, who served last year as principal at Stoddert Elementary, will take over for retiring principal Robert Gill.
- Merritt Education Center – Eugene Pair, former principal at Shadd Elementary, will replace principal Rosemary Devillar. Shadd is among schools that will be closed.
- Miner Elementary – LaVonne Taliaferro-Bunch, who served as acting principal last year after a year as assistant principal, was named the school's principal. She began her teaching career with DCPS at Seaton Elementary in 1997. She holds a bachelor's degree in human development, child and adolescent development from Howard University and a master's degree in educational leadership from George Mason University.
- Montgomery Elementary – Melissa Martin, who served as interim principal last year, has been named principal. A graduate of the New Leaders for New Schools program, she previously served as an assistant principal at the Capitol Hill Cluster Schools and at Gage-Eckington Elementary. She holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Bowdoin College, a master's degree in education from Harvard University and a master's degree in educational administration from Trinity University.
- Moten Center – David Mason, who served as interim principal last year, has been named principal. His past experience includes service as a restructuring implementation specialist at Baltimore City Public Schools, an adjunct professor at Southeastern University and service with DCPS as an assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal and teacher. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration management from Central State University and a master's degree in education, supervision and administration from Howard University.
- Raymond Elementary – LaShada Ham, a graduate of the New Leaders for New Schools and Teach for America programs, will take over the reins from retiring principal Timothy Williams. Ham, a DCPS graduate who served as an assistant principal last year at McGogney Elementary, holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in educational psychology from Howard University.
- Ross Elementary – Ximena Hartsock, who previously served as an assistant principal at Tubman Elementary, will replace retiring principal Gloria Smith. Hartsock holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy education and Spanish education and a master's degree in education from the University of La Serena in Chile and a doctorate in educational administration, leadership and policy studies from George Washington University. She has experience as a parent involvement coordinator, a guidance counselor and a Spanish teacher.
- Terrell/McGogney Elementary – Tanya Deskins, former principal of Terrell Elementary, will become principal of the two consolidated schools. McGogney principal Monica Battle is on maternity leave.
- Walker-Jones Elementary/Terrell Junior High – Janette Johns-Gibson, former principal of Walker-Jones, will become principal of the two consolidated schools. Terrell principal Francis Nicol was removed pending reassignment last month.
- Young Elementary – Linda Williams, who served as assistant principal of Winston Educational Center as part of the New Leaders for New Schools program, will replace principal Robert Johnson. Williams previously worked in the DCPS Office of Federal Grant Programs and the Office of Career and Technical Education. She also has taught and held several mid-level administrative position in the Prince George's County Public Schools. She holds a bachelor's degree in mass media arts/communications from Hampton University and a master's degree in educational administration from Trinity University.
