Posted 1:24 am Wednesday, May 09, 2012
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John Tyler High School Principal Stepping Down
By EMILY GUEVARA
Staff Writer
Tyler ISD will now add John Tyler High School principal to its job openings after Shon Joseph announced his resignation Tuesday.
The district already is searching for a person to fill the Robert E. Lee High School position as Roger McAdoo will step down at the end of this year.
Joseph cited a desire to spend more time with family and a role better-suited to his leadership style among the reasons he is taking the principal position at Little Elm High School, about eight miles west of Frisco.
“This decision was very difficult,” Joseph said in a prepared statement from the district. “This move will allow me more flexibility and more time with my family. I will always remember John Tyler’s team of students and parents … I can’t thank you enough for your support and your unwavering belief in me as a leader.”
The school district will begin its search for a replacement immediately. Joseph is the third John Tyler principal in the past five years and the sixth in 13 years.
Staff Writer
Tyler ISD will now add John Tyler High School principal to its job openings after Shon Joseph announced his resignation Tuesday.
The district already is searching for a person to fill the Robert E. Lee High School position as Roger McAdoo will step down at the end of this year.
Joseph cited a desire to spend more time with family and a role better-suited to his leadership style among the reasons he is taking the principal position at Little Elm High School, about eight miles west of Frisco.
“This decision was very difficult,” Joseph said in a prepared statement from the district. “This move will allow me more flexibility and more time with my family. I will always remember John Tyler’s team of students and parents … I can’t thank you enough for your support and your unwavering belief in me as a leader.”
The school district will begin its search for a replacement immediately. Joseph is the third John Tyler principal in the past five years and the sixth in 13 years.
“Shon has really done some very nice things for us at John Tyler,” TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid said by phone. “He’s been a significant part of the school making some nice progress both academically (and) as far as the overall operations of the campus. We’re very proud of what he’s done and appreciate the time he’s spent with us.”
Joseph came to John Tyler in April 2010 at a somewhat tumultuous time on the campus. He served as assistant principal for about a month before being named principal.
During his tenure at the school, Joseph and the rest of his team of administrators and teachers implemented a variety of changes.
Academically, the school started a Ninth-Grade Academy, separating the freshmen from the rest of the student body so teachers and specific administrators could focus on making those students academically successful.
Campuswide, John Tyler implemented a standardized dress code, developed dress code sweeps and increased student performance on benchmark tests and some statewide tests. The district installed a fence around the campus for improved security.
Joseph came to John Tyler in April 2010 at a somewhat tumultuous time on the campus. He served as assistant principal for about a month before being named principal.
During his tenure at the school, Joseph and the rest of his team of administrators and teachers implemented a variety of changes.
Academically, the school started a Ninth-Grade Academy, separating the freshmen from the rest of the student body so teachers and specific administrators could focus on making those students academically successful.
Campuswide, John Tyler implemented a standardized dress code, developed dress code sweeps and increased student performance on benchmark tests and some statewide tests. The district installed a fence around the campus for improved security.
The Walk-the-Hall Moms program and Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Good Students) brought parents onto campus. And the school plans to implement the smaller learning community concept campuswide next year.
Joseph said it was establishing this structure and creating an environment conducive to having school that makes him most proud.
“When I first arrived in April 2010, it was a very different place and we were nowhere near ready for state testing,” Joseph said. “And I think over that time I was able to convince enough people about what school looks like and what should take place in school.”
Joseph said he has mixed feelings about the condition in which he is leaving John Tyler.
“I would have liked to stay another year to see the systems really take hold, but at the same time there’s enough people on campus that know what school looks like and I don’t think they will let it go back,” he said.
Joseph said it was establishing this structure and creating an environment conducive to having school that makes him most proud.
“When I first arrived in April 2010, it was a very different place and we were nowhere near ready for state testing,” Joseph said. “And I think over that time I was able to convince enough people about what school looks like and what should take place in school.”
Joseph said he has mixed feelings about the condition in which he is leaving John Tyler.
“I would have liked to stay another year to see the systems really take hold, but at the same time there’s enough people on campus that know what school looks like and I don’t think they will let it go back,” he said.
John Tyler parent Terra Holmes said she was shocked and devastated by the news of Joseph’s departure. Ms. Homes, 40, an insurance specialist, has a freshman at John Tyler and another student at Orr Elementary School.
She said it was in part Joseph’s leadership during his first year at John Tyler that encouraged her and her husband to enroll their son there despite previously considering putting him elsewhere.
She said Joseph’s decision to create parent groups that came into the school and have his “Cup of Joe with Mr. Joseph” sessions when parents could come and talk to him made him very accessible to the community.
“To us we feel like it’s the death of a family member because it’s just like that’s how closely he worked with the parents, students and community,” she said.
She said Joseph was a leader who made everyone accountable. She urged the district to look in-house for someone to fill the principal’s role, saying that Joseph left a strong leadership staff in place at John Tyler.
Reid said the district already has been acquiring a pool of candidates for the Lee High School principal position, which gives them somewhat of a head start on this one. Lee Principal Roger McAdoo will leave that post at this school year’s end.
Reid said in the John Tyler case the district is looking for someone with a breadth of experience and a vision in line with the district and where the school is heading.
She said it was in part Joseph’s leadership during his first year at John Tyler that encouraged her and her husband to enroll their son there despite previously considering putting him elsewhere.
She said Joseph’s decision to create parent groups that came into the school and have his “Cup of Joe with Mr. Joseph” sessions when parents could come and talk to him made him very accessible to the community.
“To us we feel like it’s the death of a family member because it’s just like that’s how closely he worked with the parents, students and community,” she said.
She said Joseph was a leader who made everyone accountable. She urged the district to look in-house for someone to fill the principal’s role, saying that Joseph left a strong leadership staff in place at John Tyler.
Reid said the district already has been acquiring a pool of candidates for the Lee High School principal position, which gives them somewhat of a head start on this one. Lee Principal Roger McAdoo will leave that post at this school year’s end.
Reid said in the John Tyler case the district is looking for someone with a breadth of experience and a vision in line with the district and where the school is heading.
