Relate:
- In the Principal’s Office: Buford Middle’s Turner talks about the need for Black role models
- In the Principal’s Office: Jackson-Via’s Malone discusses the importance of promoting reading at an early age
Q: People have said one of the reasons the other schools have more playgrounds and Walker doesn’t is because there are more parents advocating for more resources. What are your thoughts? A: A different way to look at it is we have these neighborhood elementary schools that are wonderful. They’re community embedded. Parents are there from Pre-K all the way through fourth-grade. They know their teachers. They’re small. They have maybe two or three fourth-grade classes. I have fourteen fifth-grade classes here. When you look at the size and scale difference, most parents, I would say by the time you’re fourth grade at these elementary schools, you can walk in. The staff knows your name. The teachers know your name. You’ve been in the building. Q: What about Walker? A: To take that and come to Walker, and you only know that you’re here for two years, they’re never here for a long time. And frankly, we haven’t conceived Walker and Buford Middle as a four-year experience. We’ve historically thought of students at Walker and then Buford. They just have to go through these two transitions. And then land at the high school. And then we can take a deep breath. So, the work that started last year with the former principal of Buford, the work that’s carried on right now with me and Dr. Jesse Turner is looking at Walker and Buford as a four-year experience, a fifth- through eighth-grade program. If we think of this as a fifth- through eighth-grade program, we can see a greater parent involvement. We’ve already seen an increase in parents’ involvement in PTO meetings participation.If we think of this as a fifth- through eighth-grade program, we can see a greater parent involvement. We’ve already seen an increase in parents’ involvement in PTO meetings participation.
Adam Hastings, Walker Upper Elementary School Principal
Q: So, there was a lack of parental involvement? A: I do think we’ve had an absence of parental involvement in our schools over the years. And I think that is reflected likely in the level of advocacy parents are able to provide. If you don’t feel connected to the school, how can you advocate on it? I’m a caretaker of my facilities, and I’m a caretaker of parental involvement. I have to be honest about what’s happening in our building. I’ve got to be able to say, “Here’s where we’ve been successful. And here’s where we’re not being successful. Here’s where we need your help.” Q: You mentioned the reconfiguration. How involved are you in it? A: It’s happening in stages. I’m definitely not the mastermind of reconfiguration. I’m one of the Walker voices at the table. So, I’ve been in the initial conversations when [there are questions] on the types of things that must be included in the request of proposal. From a principal’s perspective, if we’re going to ask people to come in and make a proposal with the what the future might be, what are the things that you’d like to see in the future? So, we’re giving the opportunity as principals to speak on behalf of our kids and the community, and then, I think, as the stages go on, there will be teams. Q: The reconfiguration is supposed to help with fewer transitions. Why is it important for students to have fewer transitions? A: I don’t know if it’s about fewer transitions, even though that’s what we’ve talked about because when we think about reconfiguring, we think, “Oh, we’ll have fewer changes.” I think it’s about greater consistency. We’re in a building right now where I have kids who come up in a grade. My teachers need to meet all the new students. Get to know their needs, strengths and not have them as strangers. That’s tough to do when they’re here this year and are gone next year.I do think we’ve had an absence of parental involvement in our schools over the years. And I think that is reflected likely in the level of advocacy parents are able to provide. If you don’t feel connected to the school, how can you advocate on it? I’m a caretaker of my facilities, and I’m a caretaker of parental involvement.
Adam Hastings, Walker Upper Elementary School Principal
By increasing that amount of time, they get to know our staff, including our reading people and gifted teachers. All these things are made easier with few transitions. It will be a sad day when Walker closes. But what a real opportunity to make our community a better place. Q: Have you thought about where you’re going after the reconfiguration? A: No, I don’t know. I have no idea. I have a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old. If you’d asked me in my 20s, I would’ve said superintendent or secretary of education. Now that I’m not in my 20s anymore, I’m at a point in my life where I measure time in my life with my own children, and I know that I have 14 more years until my sweet little princess is off being an adult. And I have 17 years until my son becomes an adult. I adore what I do for a living. I’m committed to this job in ways that are almost impossible to articulate. I love what I do. But I have a family. My kids and my wife are going to be what I decide to do. I’m committed to Charlottesville. We chose to be here. I’m going to focus on making this place awesome, and whatever happens, happens.I’m committed to this job in ways that are almost impossible to articulate. I love what I do. But I have a family. My kids and my wife are going to be what I decide to do. I’m committed to Charlottesville. We chose to be here. I’m going to focus on making this place awesome, and whatever happens, happens.
Adam Hastings, Walker Upper Elementary School Principal