Terry Cheshire didn’t want to be like his parents.
Or the majority of his family, for that matter.
All teachers, Cheshire has witnessed the challenges and sacrifices they faced throughout their careers, both emotionally and financially.
But, as he puts it, he is “genetically pre-programmed to do it,” and in turn has spent the majority of his working life – happily – in K-12 education.
And on July 1, 2004, Cheshire, 48, will take a new position as the principal of Jackson High School. Current principal Fred Dahlem is scheduled to retire at the end of the school year.
“I am very excited to get back to working with students. I’ve missed the excitement of walking down the halls between periods and feeling that energy,” Cheshire said. “When I walk down the hall now students say ‘Hi Mr. Cheshire,’ that’s really neat.”
Currently, Cheshire works as the director of secondary student learning for the Auburn School District. He also has worked as a science teacher, elementary school principal and both principal and assistant principal at Kentridge High School in Auburn.
The diversity of his experience is one of his strong points, Cheshire said.
“I have a global understanding of what kids need to succeed,” Cheshire said.
Another one, he feels, is his ability to make the transition to change easier, which will most likely come in handy, he said, as students, faculty and parents adjust next year to a six-period schedule versus the regular four-periods.
“The goal is to get people to where they’re comfortable and feel things will be OK,” Cheshire said.
Cheshire learned about the Everett School District after he saw a presentation at a national education conference last year highlighting the district’s Culminating Exhibition projects.
“I was really impressed, and started to research the district. That’s when I learned about Jackson and heard the position (of principal) was open,” Cheshire said.
The clincher for Cheshire deciding to join Jackson was his experience with the student interview team at the school.
“Having students be a part of that, that said to me that the focus here is in the right place,” Cheshire said.
Since he was told a few weeks ago that he got the job, Cheshire has made frequent appearances at Jackson. For the past week, he has been working with district staff to find a new assistant principal and has begun to soak up the atmosphere of the school, meeting with students and parents on a regular basis.
He also has been house-hunting and preparing with his wife, Kitte, and their two children, Megan, 17, and Ryan, 13, for the move from Auburn. Both Megan and Ryan will change schools, with Megan most likely attending Jackson.
Cheshire’s goals for his first year at the high school include working with the district to further help students meet new state achievement standards and learning district protocol.
But building relationships within the school community seems to be his top priority right now.
“I want to establish communication and develop relationships with students, parents and teachers,” Cheshire said.
“I want them to know that I will be consistent, that I’m not just for show.”
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