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During a special meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board last week, approval was granted for the hiring of Dr. William James Donner as principal of Winslow High School.
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The district has been in the hiring process since the announcement of Dr. Justin Hartman’s resignation last month.
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District Superintendent Cyndie Mattox said, “We had about 10 applicants.” Those ten were narrowed down to four and eventually a committee comprised of teachers, administrators, parents and classified personnel chose Dr. Donner.
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Dr. Donner is currently the Assistant Principal at Flagstaff High School. He has been an administrator there for 6 years. He earned degrees from Eastern Michigan University in both elementary and secondary education.
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“I started my career in a post-industrial area of Detroit in a middle school. After a couple of years, my wife and I moved to New York so that I could attend graduate school at New York University. That is where I started my high school career as a teacher. I entered in to administration in 2013. I have spent time as a Dean of Students and an Assistant Principal.”
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Donner’s career in education has been one of passion and of commitment. He spoke of philosophies and perspectives that he maintains that make for productive environments for students as well as staff.
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For example, Donner has a strong interest in creating an ‘expeditionary learning environment.’ According to Donner, that means, “Getting kids out of the classroom and in to the field as much as possible. I went to school to design an educational program based around the sciences where students would spend three weeks in the classroom and a week in the field, doing some type of application related to what they are learning in the classroom.”
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He continued, “I have this idea of really getting the community involved in student advocacy. I want the community to be aware of what literary resources are available for student achievement at the high school level and after they graduate. I would love to start working with the community and really start building a platform for students and their own development; their social and emotional development as well.”
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Donner explained, “Winslow has a strong heritage, from my experience, everyone I have met with in the community, displays strong family values. This is a great set up for a school leader and for a family man. It is a platform to celebrate and to build upon. Winslow will give me an opportunity to work with families and to provide a strong foothold for my own family. There is a greater possibility of community interaction happening in a place like Winslow.”
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He is not taking the challenge of leading Winslow High School without having done his research. “I have a very realistic approach. I know that there are some challenges. But the background piece is the foundation for overcoming those challenges. I am in no way hesitant, but I do know there is work to be done. I have plans for what I would like to start working on right away, and some ideas for what can be done in the future. In terms of providing growth, Winslow offers great opportunity.”
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The environment of Winslow High School has been on an upswing over the last few years. According to Mattox, text scores and approval ratings have improved. Donner hopes to continue that momentum.
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“I have this perspective that I need to get out in the hallways and say hello to everyone. That is really where the magic happens. When I see students and I ask them how they are, how it’s going, I get to learn what is going on in their lives. I talk to staff members and ask them what I can do for them. It’s just a mantra for me. Instead of hiding in my office, I like to do 1,000 hellos every morning.”
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Dr. Donner will begin his position as Winslow High School principal on June 20, 2019. “I plan on having strong communication and a strong plan of action before the school year begins, I will be in touch with WHS staff in the meantime. I am looking forward to working with the great staff and meeting everyone involved as we move forward in taking Winslow High to the next level.”
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