CHICAGO (CBS) — Dr. Joyce Kenner spent practically three a long time strolling the halls of a Whitney M. Younger Magnet Excessive Faculty s principal, and now she is getting ready to step down from the helm.
CBS 2’s Jermont Terry caught up Wednesday with the longtime chief on what’s subsequent, and the hope for the top-ranked faculty’s future.
Kenner mentioned she needs “to ensure the person who’s going to be after me shall be somebody who has the identical values as I did.”
Kenner spoke Wednesday to a roundtable of her assistant principals and Native Faculty Council members, in addition to different guests – together with former Ald. Bob Fioretti. She is getting ready to say goodbye after 27 years as principal at Whitney Younger, at 211 S. Laflin St. on the town’s Close to West Facet, and 5 years as assistant principal earlier than that.
“And I am attempting to be humorous – there’s not going to be one other Joyce Kenner,” Kenner instructed the group. “All of us get that.”
Kenner has saved Whitney Younger top-ranked all through her 27 years on the helm.
“It’s a selective enrollment faculty, and so these are coveted spots right here,” she mentioned.
However one spot will quickly be vacant.
Terry: “After practically 30 years of strolling these halls, when did the fact hit that it was time to shut to door for good?”
Kenner: “It was actually about my household. I’ve a 3-year-old granddaughter. I’ve a grandson on the best way – and I am positive that my son and his spouse are going to wish me.”
When Kenner turned principal, Paul Vallas was chief govt officer of the Chicago Public Faculties. He was the primary to carry that title after mayoral management of faculties took impact in 1995 – earlier than that, the top of CPS held the title of superintendent.
As Vallas, Arne Duncan, Run Huberman, Terry Maany, Jean-Claude Brizard, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Jesse Ruiz, Forrest Claypool, Janice Jackson, and now Pedro Martinez have every succeeded each other as CPS CEO, Kenner has remained within the principal’s chair at Whitney Younger.
New excessive faculties had been additionally inbuilt that point. But Whitney Younger stays wanted by college students.
So what does Kenner credit score that to?
Kenner: “Actually, I might say I am old-school, and among the issues I felt was essential right here at Whitney Younger, I didn’t enable to alter.”
Terry: “Like what?”
Kenner: “College students with hats within the constructing. I do know that sounds trivial, however I inform college students on a regular basis: ‘We’re getting ready you guys for school, and you’ve got faculty interviews. You’ll be able to’t stroll into a school interview with a hat on.”
Kenner believes the academics’ dedication is essential, and needs whoever takes over to grasp the dedication to tutorial excellence.
“We’re not on the lookout for somebody simply to raise their profession and transfer on after two or three years,” Kenner mentioned.
And why did Kenner keep so lengthy with out transferring up or on?
“They by no means provided me the CEO’s place for Chicago Public Faculties, in order that was the one place that I ever needed aside from this job,” Kenner mentioned.
