HHSC Celebrates Principals As Part Of National Principals Month Part 2 Of 3
October marks the celebration of a special group of leaders in our community – our school principals. These dedicated individuals play a pivotal role in shaping our students’ futures and the trajectory of our education system. This month-long celebration is an opportunity to recognize and thank our principals for their unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and remarkable impact on student success.
We are taking the opportunity to share an up-close look at the extraordinary individuals serving at the helm of Hamilton Heights High School. Thank you Jarrod Mason, Principal, Whitney Gray, Assistant Principal, and Mitch Street Assistant Principal/Dean of Students for setting high expectations for our students and educators. In your roles you have shaped the conditions for our teachers and students to learn and succeed. We are forever grateful for your impact at #ThankAPrincipal #WeAreHuskies
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Jarrod Mason, Principal, Hamilton Heights High School
Q: Why did you want to become a principal?
A: I felt I could have a larger impact on more students as an administrator than I could in the classroom.
Q: What is your end goal in your role?
A: I want students to reach their goals. If I can help them earn their diploma and find their perspective and purpose along the way, I am going to be happy with that.
Q: What are some of the other hats you wear in your role that people may not know?
A: What I don’t think people realize about our role is that you’re never really “off duty.” Our work is literally 24-7 and it never stops.
Q: What gets you motivated and out of bed each day?
A: I love the people…. students, staff, and community. I don’t struggle to get out of bed to come to work. It’s pretty good to see the progress people make every day, and being a part of that makes it easy to get out of bed.
Q: What is at least one attribute that makes you successful in your role?
A: I will give you two things…First, I am real…I don’t try to be something I’m not. Second, I don’t think I know everything. We are smarter together.
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Whitney Gray, Assistant Principal, Hamilton Heights High School
Q: Why did you want to become an assistant principal?
A: I love working in a school, especially a high school! I loved the idea of being able to help develop teachers and support them from behind, while they are making all the difference with our kids.
Q: What is your end goal in your role?
A: To show our teachers and students how successful they can be, no matter what they want to do.
Q: What are some of the other hats you wear in your role that people may not know?
A: I am responsible for our Unified Sports program.
Q: What gets you motivated and out of bed each day?
A: We have a great team and they’re a lot of fun to work with.
Q: What is at least one attribute that makes you successful in your role?
A: Being patient and flexible.
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Mitch Street, Assistant Principal/Dean of Students, Hamilton Heights High School
Q: Why did you want to become an assistant principal?
A: When I was growing up, I had several teachers who were heroes to me. One of those heroes taught and then moved into administration, so I went into education with that as my plan of action. Ultimately, this role is still about giving back to kids and hopefully playing a part in making a positive difference in the lives of kids and the school community as a whole.
Q: What is your end goal in your role?
A: Honestly, I don’t know that I have an end goal. I try to live in the moment, and I feel like in this moment, this is where I’m supposed to be. I just want to do the best that I can in this role.
Q: What are some of the other hats you wear in your role that people may not know?
A: I think people just assume that I am involved solely in discipline. However, I have been blessed to really expand my duties here at Heights and remain at a place that I feel called to be. I work with our teachers in the evaluation process. I’m involved in our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and RTL (Response to Intervention). After coaching football for a decade at HHHS before stepping down. After a few years out of coaching, I have spent the last three years coaching Unified Flag Football and assisting with the varsity boys’ basketball team as well.
Q: What gets you motivated and out of bed each day?
A: Like anything there are good days and bad days, but, as I mentioned above I got into education to give back and hopefully make a difference in the lives of kids. I had many educators who were heroes to me. Hopefully, I am able to provide some of the things that those people provided to me.
Q: What is at least one attribute that makes you successful in your role?
A: Hopefully, I am successful, but if I had to pick something, I would say that I am pretty even keeled and stay poised through most situations.