Three Renton schools get new principals for 2013-14 year

This school year, students headed to Hazen and Renton high schools and Dimmitt Middle School will be welcomed by some new faces in the administration. The Renton School District has new principals, who begin their leadership, with the 2013-2014 school year.

Principal Giovanna San Martin starts at Renton High School, Interim Principal Randy Taylor starts at Hazen High School and Principal Anna Horton starts at Dimmitt Middle School this year.

The Renton Reporter posed the same set of questions to each of the new district staff to learn more about them and their leadership style. Here’s what they had to say:

1. What was your last job?

Giovanna San Martin (left): “Assistant principal at Renton High School, (for past) four years. I’m looking forward to my fifth year as principal of Renton High School.”

Taylor: “I retired in 2011. My last two principal positions were 2005-2011 principal of Mount Si High School in the Snoqualmie Valley School District; also I was principal of Auburn High School from 1999-2004. During the last two years I’ve held three interim principal positions, Kent Phoenix Academy, Kentlake High School and Hazen High School.” Why Renton?: “(The) Renton School District enjoys a great reputation among Washington state educators. Hazen High School is amazing and I would like to work with staff, students and parents of the high school where my granddaughter and grandson will attend in the future. She is now 2 years old and he will be born next month.”

Horton:”I was assistant principal at Lindbergh High School for five years. Before that I taught seventh and eighth grade science for five years at Nelsen Middle School.”

2. Where were you born and raised? Also, what led you to Renton?

San Martin:”Peruvian father and Italian mother; I grew up in Peru and attended schools abroad. My parents endorsed IB (International Baccalaureate) education and sent me abroad so I would develop and/or be exposed to different points of view to become, as IB puts it, internationally minded. My mother, brother and sister live in the city of Renton. Through them I first learned about the Renton community and its commitment to innovation, growth and care for all of its members. Five years ago, I received the opportunity to interview with the Renton School District. I was impressed with the respectful environment I encountered.”

Randy Taylor (left): “I was born in Chewelah, Wash., and raised in Ellensburg.”

Horton: “I was born in Southern California, but was raised in Redmond. I attended the University of Washington and received my BA in Zoology and then my master’s in Teaching. During my Masters program, I was placed at Nelsen Middle School to student teach. I fell in love with middle school students and the Renton School District and never left.”

3. Why did you want to become a principal?

San Martin: “I have always appreciated public service and administration/management of projects, programs and portfolios, etc. My father was an outstanding business administrator and my mother served as a public relations executive. Yet, while working in the business world there was something I was missing in terms of job satisfaction. It was not until I started to work for the YMCA of Greater Seattle in 1995 that I came to realize that working with urban students made me feel at home. I realized that I would really love to serve these students. There is no better feeling at the end of the day than to know you have advocated for teachers and students. My passion is to help my teachers and students achieve the very highest standards in education.”

Taylor: “Originally, I was a special education teacher in the Richland School District and developed profound desire to make a difference with a broader scope of students.”

Horton:”I absolutely loved teaching and making the final decision to leave the classroom was a tough one. It was my desire to have more influence over education at a systemic level, including my deep belief that it is our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure every child has the best educational opportunities, that led me into administration.”

4. What were you like in high school or junior high?

San Martin: “I went to all-girls school from kindergarten to secondary. I was empowered to try and do anything that was offered. I painted, played soccer, served as captain for the debate team, enjoyed reading non-fiction and history, and played with a huge chemistry set. Music-wise, I loved The Cure and new wave 80s music.”

Taylor: “I was a pretty normal kid. I played football and baseball and was a musician in the school’s wind ensemble, member of the jazz band and pep bands. I always knew I wanted to go to college as no one on both sides of my family graduated from college. I enjoyed high school and married a classmate of mine; we’ve been married for 41 years. We have attended all of our high school reunions as our class was pretty close.”

Anna Horton (left):”Truth be told, I was pretty studious, probably too studious. In hindsight, I could have studied a bit less and played a bit more. I moved away to Kansas for one year, when I was in eighth grade, which left me with an understanding of how hard it can be trying to fit in to a new environment.”

5. What was your favorite activity, book or TV show or all three in high school? What about now?

San Martin: “My favorite book was “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo. I believe this book is meant for everyone. Reading it as a 13-year-old, I was touched by the sense of redemption and progress from injustice to justice. I think this is a good book for young men and women to start understanding social problems and humankind.” Now: “I am enjoying my PhD program and the business classes I have been taking i.e., strategy, organizational project management models, sustainability, etc. I love to learn.”

Taylor: “I rode motorcycles in high school, went snow skiing. My favorite TV show was the original ‘Star Trek’ series.”

Horton: “In high school-spending time with my friends and studying. I was voted ‘most stressed out’ in my senior class… I probably spent too much worrying about things that really didn’t matter. Now, my most favorite thing is to spend time with my husband and two little girls.”

6. What is your leadership style?

San Martin: “There is no one style of leadership. I believe a good leader should be able to transition between different styles depending on context, all the way from transactional to transformational. Yet, I am inclined to use transformational theory and collaborative leadership as this allows me to inspire behavior to be followed by others, motivate others to commit to the vision, encourage innovation and creativity, and coach to the specific needs of others.”

Taylor: “My leadership style is based upon building relationships. Student achievement and preparing our youth for their future is a paramount responsibility for all educators; teachers and administrators.”

Horton: “I really believe in shared leadership. While I may be Dimmitt’s principal, I know that empowering teachers to become leaders increases our capacity to really impact student achievement.”

7. What do you most want your students and staff to know about you?

San Martin:”Concerning our students, I am here to empower and help them realize their future college and career plans by enlisting options, as well as, look after their social and personal needs. With regards to our staff, I am honored to lead such an amazing team and look forward to emerge as a ‘culture of high collaboration’ that delivers high quality instruction for all students. I know that the RHS staff will exemplify Pride, Tradition and Excellence every day.”

Taylor:”Their principal cares about their learning and teaching. The Hazen teachers are remarkable. They have a strong vision of student success. Hazen students are one of the most caring student communities I’ve known. I’m looking forward to an amazing year.”

Horton:”That I am so excited to return to middle school because I really have a soft spot in my heart for middle school students. And above all, that they have my complete and total dedication to support them in growing as they strive to do their best work. Dimmitt has amazing teachers truly dedicated to their students and the community. It is a special place to be. Go Vikings!”

The Renton School district also welcomed 18 new assistant principals, who started this year:

Arneidra Austin, AP, Hazelwood/Tiffany Park

Renee Barut, AP, Nelsen

Misty Blonsky, AP, Bryn Mawr

Brian Brockmueller, AP, Campbell Hill

Alfred DeBlasio, AP, Highlands

Sondra Fosness, AP, Sierra Heights

Geri Goss, AP, Talbot Hill

Juree(Julia) Han, AP, Maplewood Heights

Justin Isbell, AP, Kennydale

Susan James, AP, Hazen

Jo Kain, AP, Renton Park