Diversity Experience: Edith E. Mackrille In West Haven

For my diversity experience, I shadowed Judith Drenzek, principal of Edith E. Mackrille in West Haven. West Haven is a DRG H school; Amity is a DRG B school, so they are opposites in many ways. I also chose an elementary school because all of my experiences have been at the secondary level. I really wanted to see what a day in the life of an elementary principal was like. Additionally, Mackrille fascinates me because it has the expected demographics of a DRG H school, yet it scores the same or better than most of the DRG B elementary schools. Specifically, of Mackrille's approximately 350 K-4th grade students, more than 50% are eligible for free/reduced lunch, less than 50% are white, 14% are special education, and 15% are EL, yet Mackrille’s
Students arrive in an orderly fashion. Parents who break the drop off rules are spoken to on the spot and reminded that safety is of the utmost importance. All staff members greet all students and know many of their names. Each grade has its own entrance with multiple staff members, and there is consistency at every entrance. Upon entering the school, I could tell that the school has a positive climate among students and staff alike. There is meaningful student work outside and inside of every classroom. I could see the Common Core Standards come to life in their work. There are murals and posters promoting diversity, kindness, etc. There are also data walls that students, parents, and staff can see. Support staff are everywhere--not just as a pull-out. SRBI is in full swing, in and out of the classroom. Everyone was busy yet
Drenzek allowed me to shadow her for the day. I learned so many things that I couldn’t possibly have known without participating in a full school day with an elementary principal. I was especially delighted that I was able to attend such a diverse yet successful school. I will bring many things from this experience not only to a future career as an administrator, but also as a leader in my school district. For example, the importance of consistency in as much of what I do as possible. The principal at Mackrille is no pushover. Teachers know that they cannot bully their way into changing initiatives, yet she is approachable and reasonable, so teachers know they can bring suggestions for improvement that will not be ignored. She has clear expectations that do not deviate, yet she differentiates as needed. Data is important to drive instruction, so despite human nature to want to be anecdotal, she brings them back to the evidence at hand. She also provides professional learning and feedback in a timely manner with specifics—even to the lunch aids. Again, she demands that every person in her building works collaboratively to support the mission and vision. I will continue to work on developing these attributes and skills of being an effective, professional, and amicable school