"Ms. Smith is the principle of OSA and used to be the principle of the Middle school." --Trevor Walton
Ms. Smith is the principle of OSA and used to be the principle of the middle school, as well as a teacher who has taught every subject at OSA, such as ELA, science, math, and history. She wanted to be an engineer when she was 8 and never thought that she would end up being a teacher or a principle of a school. As a 6th grader who is new to OSA, I don’t really know that much about Ms. Smith, so I wanted to talk to her and get to know her better.
Trevor Walton: What did you do before becoming principle?
Principal Smith: I was a 6th grade teacher who taught every subject which was 13 years ago. And, in 2011, I became the assistant principal. And, in 2013, I became the middle school principal. And now, I’m the whole school principle and this is my first year too.
TW: Why did you become a principle and what job did you imagine you would have when you were little?
PS: I became the principal at OSA because it was an opportunity to use my management training in this school. And, the second question is when I was younger, I wanted to be a writer. And when I was 8, I wanted to be an engineer to solve problems. And, I went to college to study engineering and realized I really like being social. And, engineers don’t really have that job. So, I got my degree in mathematics and never thought of being a teacher at that time.
TW: What middle/high school did you go to and how is it similar or different to OSA?
PS: My middle school was called Adam’s junior high, and I had two high schools I went to: John F. Kennedy High and Rippowam High School in CT. They were very different from OSA. We almost had no arts. But, they had sports which is different from OSA. I did track, cheer leading, and gymnastics.
TW: Any ideas you have to add on to OSA, like put a new emphasis or hire new teachers?
PS: One thing I think about is how we can teach business in arts and finances in general. And, hiring new teachers that represent our students and can connect well with students and parents including spanish and other languages.
TW: How does it feel being a black woman in America? And in leadership?
PS: It feels good and hard. I feel like I’ve had accomplished success and I work hard to be sure my voice is heard and I remain professional.
TW: What impact did Victor Mcelhaney have on the school and how are the teachers and staff feeling about his death?
PS: Victor had a very positive impact had OSA and Oakland. And, people he came contact with because he was positive, loving, and happy most of the time.
TW: What person(s) do you look up to?
PS: I look up to my parents and was inspired by Michelle Obama.
TW: Do you like the 2020 schedule ideas?
PS: I like that were thinking about changes so that all students can be successful at OSA and beyond.
TW: What is your favorite thing about being at OSA:
PS: The creative energy. It is so much more exciting than schools that don’t have the art.
TW: How do you feel about the OUSD teachers going on strike and do you think OSA teachers are paid fairly?
PS: I feel like the OUSD teachers strike showed how desperate teachers felt about their salary and teaching conditions and that they were willing to take action and get results. Another thing about the OUSD strike, I think teachers in California public schools are paid unfairly because of the low state money given to school. It’s a lot higher in other states.
TW: My last question is, what community do you want to have at OSA?
PS: I want the OSA community to be a safe and loving community of people who are here because they love what they’re doing and what to connect with people around them.
Trevor Walton: What did you do before becoming principle?
Principal Smith: I was a 6th grade teacher who taught every subject which was 13 years ago. And, in 2011, I became the assistant principal. And, in 2013, I became the middle school principal. And now, I’m the whole school principle and this is my first year too.
TW: Why did you become a principle and what job did you imagine you would have when you were little?
PS: I became the principal at OSA because it was an opportunity to use my management training in this school. And, the second question is when I was younger, I wanted to be a writer. And when I was 8, I wanted to be an engineer to solve problems. And, I went to college to study engineering and realized I really like being social. And, engineers don’t really have that job. So, I got my degree in mathematics and never thought of being a teacher at that time.
TW: What middle/high school did you go to and how is it similar or different to OSA?
PS: My middle school was called Adam’s junior high, and I had two high schools I went to: John F. Kennedy High and Rippowam High School in CT. They were very different from OSA. We almost had no arts. But, they had sports which is different from OSA. I did track, cheer leading, and gymnastics.
TW: Any ideas you have to add on to OSA, like put a new emphasis or hire new teachers?
PS: One thing I think about is how we can teach business in arts and finances in general. And, hiring new teachers that represent our students and can connect well with students and parents including spanish and other languages.
TW: How does it feel being a black woman in America? And in leadership?
PS: It feels good and hard. I feel like I’ve had accomplished success and I work hard to be sure my voice is heard and I remain professional.
TW: What impact did Victor Mcelhaney have on the school and how are the teachers and staff feeling about his death?
PS: Victor had a very positive impact had OSA and Oakland. And, people he came contact with because he was positive, loving, and happy most of the time.
TW: What person(s) do you look up to?
PS: I look up to my parents and was inspired by Michelle Obama.
TW: Do you like the 2020 schedule ideas?
PS: I like that were thinking about changes so that all students can be successful at OSA and beyond.
TW: What is your favorite thing about being at OSA:
PS: The creative energy. It is so much more exciting than schools that don’t have the art.
TW: How do you feel about the OUSD teachers going on strike and do you think OSA teachers are paid fairly?
PS: I feel like the OUSD teachers strike showed how desperate teachers felt about their salary and teaching conditions and that they were willing to take action and get results. Another thing about the OUSD strike, I think teachers in California public schools are paid unfairly because of the low state money given to school. It’s a lot higher in other states.
TW: My last question is, what community do you want to have at OSA?
PS: I want the OSA community to be a safe and loving community of people who are here because they love what they’re doing and what to connect with people around them.