Q
&
amp;A: The Dispatch talks with new Gilroy High School Principal
James Maxwell
Q: Could you describe your leadership style?
A: My leadership style tends to be focused on empowering those that I work with. Much of the research on leadership in schools states that the ability to form good relationships with others is a trait that successful leaders demonstrate most often. I believe that this includes forming relationships with all stakeholders including parents, students, and community members, as well as teachers and staff. You will see me spending a great deal of time this year in forming those bonds.
Q: As you know the class of 2006 will be the first class required to pass the CAHSEE in order to receive a high school diploma. What are your plans to ensure that 100 percent of your seniors pass in both ELA and math, especially English language learner students and students with disabilities?
A: The district, school administration and teaching staff are dedicated to ensuring that all of our seniors will pass the CAHSEE. Seniors will have three more opportunities to pass this exam. Every student who has not passed the exam will be expected to be in a CAHSEE support class as part of their regular school day. If they still have to pass Language Arts and Math, then they will have to be in two support classes. In addition we will have after school tutorials, evening tutorial, and Saturday tutorials preparing students for each exam. Students and their families will sign contracts stating that they will attend the sessions that best fit their schedules. We will use a variety of materials and instructional strategies to try and serve all students.
Q: On the other end of the spectrum, what is your plan, both long term and short term, for improving the AP scores? What changes can parents and students expect, if any, this year? Can you address why the AP scores in U.S. History, calculus and statistics are so poor?
A: These questions on our AP program are very good, but I am far too new to give accurate information about specifics. I still need to meet with our AP teachers and observe them and talk to them to get their input before any changes are made. When you look at AP results and compare them to other schools you need to be very careful. We do not know what the entrance requirements are at other schools. Gilroy High School has an open admissions policy which will tend to lower your pass rate. I support this philosophy! The UC and state college systems are telling our counselors that the best predictor for finishing college is having taken AP classes in high school. While everyone would like to see all of our students earn a 3, 4, or 5 and gain college credit, it is possible that it is far more important that they are just in the class and getting that AP curriculum. The amount of students in AP classes here continues to grow and I hope that parents challenge their children to take these courses and stay in them even if they get demanding.
Q: With 2,400-plus students, is Gilroy High School too large?
A: When a school gets as large as Gilroy High School it is a mixed bag. Sometimes some of the personalization that a small school offers is missing. We must work hard to make up for that. We need to offer as many clubs and sports as possible so that kids have an opportunity to participate. The advantages are often academic. We can have broader course offerings than smaller schools. There are more teachers to collaborate with to share teaching strategies.
Q: For the past two years GHS has held regular AP/Honors meetings for parents. Do you intend to continue that practice?
A: Yes I would like to continue holding Honors/AP meetings for parents.
Q: What is the best way to evaluate teachers?
A: We are using the “California Standards for the Teaching Profession.” I used them last year for the first time and found them to be much more useful than anything that I had ever used before. I also plan to be in the classroom frequently. Evaluation in its best form is used to help teachers improve.
Q: The issue of limited offerings, limited opportunity, and low student participation in campus clubs has been raised at Parents Club meeting the last few years. What is your expectation for club offerings and club activities?
A: I was a bit surprised by this question. I did not know that there were limited offerings and opportunities for students to participate in clubs and activities. I will need to work with our activities director and staff to encourage growth in this area. We do know that students who participate in their school in any way tend to do better academically. Pushing for student involvement in GHS will always be a strong tenet of my leadership.
Q: Did you teach chemistry at my high school, Moreau High School, when I and Roxanne Guzman were there in the late ’70s? I’m sure you did, but just wanted to say Hi and welcome! I didn’t have you as a teacher, but I remember that you were very well liked and respected by all who did! I think you drove a bug and I know you had long hair and a beard. I have my high school yearbook and looked you up. What a welcome surprise! – Karen Krieg … Any comments on the picture?
A: Karen, yes I did teach chemistry at Moreau. How nice of you to say those nice things about me. Actually I remember you as well as Roxanne and her brothers. If you are in touch with her, please send my regards and if you are here at school for a function please introduce yourself to me.
Q: Do you have experience working with Alumni Associations and do you want to have one supporting the schools in your current job?
A: I have worked a bit with alumni associations. Is there one here? Yes I would love to be involved with one at GHS. I know a company that can help us do that. Send me an e-mail.
Q: Would you be willing to hold some “meet the principal” nights this year to start a dialogue with parents?
A: I would be willing to hold some “meet the principal” nights, especially this first year. I will mention this to my parent’s club president to see how we can make this work.
Q: Do you have experience working with Parent Advisory Clubs – ones that advise on policy and practices at the school – and do you want to have one supporting you in your current job?
A: The only parent advisory club that I have worked with would be the Site Council which also has teachers and students. I would always consider something like this as long as the goals were clearly stated and agreed upon from the beginning.
Q: What are your plans to communicate to the community at large your needs, your triumphs, your progress toward long-range accomplishments and the specific ways the community can help you meet your goals and objectives? Please don’t begin and end your answer with “a newsletter.” And, what is your mechanism to receive feedback from the community?
A: This is truly a great question and sounds like something the superintendent might ask me to do when setting goals for the year. I do not yet have the answers to this question other than what I have answered in previous questions. I am going to give it some thought and come back to it next time.
Q: What do you do for relaxation and enjoyment?
A: My hobbies are reading (I am a English Literature minor) and playing my guitar. My greatest enjoyment outside of work is spending time with my wife and children on weekend activities.
