The new school year has started and everybody has gotten back into their academic groove. For the majority of the population of Silver Creek, the facilities and surroundings are familiar. For the new faces of staff and students, it’s taken some time to adjust. This year, we welcome Ms. Chantal Chatman, the new principal of Silver Creek High School.
Ms. Chatman has been in the school environment for over twenty years. She was a teacher for many years, including eleven years at Andrew Hill, an associate principal for ten and a half years at Evergreen and a program coordinator for SBN (Small But Necessary Schools). She mentions that “all of [these experiences] helped me settle into principalship,” and that her experience with school in all of these different fields is what sets her apart from her predecessors. “I bring years of experience in a variety of ways. My continuous time that I’ve served here at East Side in a variety of capacities in working with students makes me different.”
As with many of the new students and staff, Ms. Chatman is settling in well. The staff and students welcome her and the student demographics are similar to that of Evergreen’s, so Ms. Chatman doesn’t feel out of place at all. In addition to the welcoming atmosphere of Silver Creek, “being able to come in and being able to work right away with the PTSA, the staff on site, ASB, Katrina [Seal] was really great.”
Ms. Chatman has been in the school environment for over twenty years. She was a teacher for many years, including eleven years at Andrew Hill, an associate principal for ten and a half years at Evergreen and a program coordinator for SBN (Small But Necessary Schools). She mentions that “all of [these experiences] helped me settle into principalship,” and that her experience with school in all of these different fields is what sets her apart from her predecessors. “I bring years of experience in a variety of ways. My continuous time that I’ve served here at East Side in a variety of capacities in working with students makes me different.”
As with many of the new students and staff, Ms. Chatman is settling in well. The staff and students welcome her and the student demographics are similar to that of Evergreen’s, so Ms. Chatman doesn’t feel out of place at all. In addition to the welcoming atmosphere of Silver Creek, “being able to come in and being able to work right away with the PTSA, the staff on site, ASB, Katrina [Seal] was really great.”
Coming to Silver Creek after having lots of experience at other schools, Ms. Chatman stated that she “was expecting to be able to work on a higher level with leading the school, being able to affect change, make a difference on a higher platform.” She is hoping that she will be able to bring change to some extent by “looking at things that we’re doing well with and help Silver Creek make it even better.”
|
“I want it to be a relationship centered school.”
|
With the experience she has gained through her many years in education, she realizes that the most important value she should hold as a principal is being present and making sure that every staff member at school is meeting kids with all different levels. “I want it to be a relationship centered school.”
Ms. Chatman wants, as a way to impact Silver Creek students, to “be someone that supports students in their endeavors,” and to make the students’ experience well rounded. And to make her presence felt by the students and staff, she plans to get involved through activities like Family Fun Night and, “making sure we’re present, by participating in the PTSA, working with ASB that we can offer activities for school that students are engaged in and excited and motivate them. We want them to feel that Silver Creek is a great place to be by lending support wherever needed, making suggestions and giving innovative ideas.”
But outside of the school environment, Ms. Chatman is just like anyone else. Like many others, she is a food fanatic. “I really enjoy great food. I am so international in palette that I love practically everything, except for slimy things. I’m open to trying everything and I’m pretty flexible.” Unlike the fictional depictions in films of principals, Ms. Chatman has a vision and welcomes everyone to Silver Creek with open arms.
But outside of the school environment, Ms. Chatman is just like anyone else. Like many others, she is a food fanatic. “I really enjoy great food. I am so international in palette that I love practically everything, except for slimy things. I’m open to trying everything and I’m pretty flexible.” Unlike the fictional depictions in films of principals, Ms. Chatman has a vision and welcomes everyone to Silver Creek with open arms.