My New Principal
As my summer wraps up, I am slowly preparing for seventh grade at Severn School. I’m pretty excited for school to start, and I’m not the least bit nervous. But there are a couple of changes this year. First, our middle school is under construction.
Second, Mr. Daniel Keller, my former sixth-grade English teacher, was promoted to head of the middle school. I knew what he was like as a teacher, but what would he be like as the new principal?
As it turns out, Mr. Keller is still going to be my teacher. He is teaching one English class as well as heading the middle school. That’s a decision he made when he came to Severn four years ago. He knew he wanted to be a middle school principal, and he worked toward reaching that goal. But he still wanted teach English. That’s how I have my principal teaching me. Here’s what else he had to say:
What is your vision for the middle school?
To continue to expand the Severn community. I want parents to see what great things are happening at Severn, such as students’ achievements in academics. I want teachers to be mindful of ways that they can show students how they value them, to create a better bond between students and teachers.
What will you miss most now that you’re not a full-time teacher?
Coaching sports. I coached lacrosse and basketball. Coaching is a wonderful way to see kids in a different light because they are out of the classroom. After a long day at work, it is nice to get outside and help kids athletically. Now I won’t have time to coach.
How did you get ready for your new job?
Over the summer, I’ve been preparing for my new role. I talked with other administrators, such as School Headmaster Doug Lagarde, and the principals of the upper and lower schools. I taught two professional development classes to Severn teachers, one on lesson plans, the other on test writing. Summer wasn’t all work, though. My wife, Caitlin, and I enjoyed being able to watch our 10-month-old-son learn to crawl, and we went on vacation to Hilton Head Island.
What advice do you have for us who will have you as both teacher and head?
In my classroom, I am a teacher and we will have a great and productive time. In my office, I am the principal.
I hope I only have to see him in the classroom!