Principal of the Year has ‘visionary mindset’

Tamika Green with students at Albert Cammon Middle School in St. Rose.

Being named Louisiana’s Middle School Principal of the Year isn’t just an honor for Tamika Green, it represents recognition for the “visionary mindset” that landed her a new position with the St. Charles Parish Schools District.

“Out of the gate, I’m targeting allocation of resources, instruction and opportunities,” Green said. “I’m taking that energy as principal of the year and stepping it up. I love getting up every day to the challenge and looking for the next thing to do to help children.”

These are two significant recognitions for this 24-year educator who is passionate about her role in advancing Albert Cammon Middle School students and now advancing those goals to the district level.

As principal of the year, Green had to demonstrate excellence in the field, as well as guiding students of all backgrounds and ability to achieve excellence, demonstrating leadership and innovation in and out of the classroom toward generating lifelong learners, and being able to express herself in an engaging and articulate way.

Tamika Green

Green, along with the state’s elementary and high school principals of the year, were recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education’s A Call for Excellent Educators, Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals. The most exceptional educators are honored in the program, and now Green’s mission is to address “anything at all that hinders a student’s education.”

Her new title is executive director of equity and student support at the Central Office.

To Green’s knowledge, her position is a first for the school district,

“My plan is to continue working in the schools to help make them more equitable, making sure every student has what he or she needs to succeed,” she said. Calling it a “visionary mindset,” Green is channeling her enthusiasm about “changing things” into “revising the way we do business.”

It fits with the school district’s theme this year of “Every student matters, Every moment counts.” which is aimed at maximizing the learning experience.

Green said she helped put Albert Cammon school as its principal for 10 years on the map and now she’s charged with doing the same with the district. She did it by growing relationships with the community, which came about by keeping the word “We” rather than “I” in making them work all guided by ensuring every child gets a quality education anywhere in the parish.

“I love education,” she said. “I want to be a part of the intentional excellence for future generations. I believe that educators are called to this work.”

What made her a successful principal was identifying “learning gaps,” which can be as basic as when a preschooler learns their ABCs versus the one who doesn’t learn them, Green said.

 

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