Patrick Henry High School Principal Michelle Irwin will be staying in the education field but putting on a new hat.
Irwin has accepted a new role as a Middle School Area Superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District. She is one of six individuals chosen for such positions. The superintendents are tasked with giving direct support to their assigned schools as they work in collaboration with their school communities to put in place instructional policies and goals put in motion by the district.
Irwin, who has worked in the SUSD for nearly 30 years, started her educational career as a teacher, relocating to administration, having served in the roles of high school and middle principal for more than two decades.
In reflecting on her time at PHHS, Irwin noted she is very proud of the work that has gone on at the school. That is to support all the learners to become thoughtful and productive citizens with a sense of purpose, integrity and a curiosity about the world in which they live. As Irwin sees it, working with the students has been an absolute honor and she is grateful to have had the opportunity to be principal. She added that she’s learned much from the experience and will be able to apply such learning to her new role.
The process of selecting a new principal is getting underway and Dr. Erin Richison, senior executive director of the Office of Graduation, is heading things up.
For those not familiar with the process, it involves the following:
* Position Posted for minimum of 10 days
* Candidates are reviewed for credentials, eligibility, experience, etc.
* Human Resources and Area Superintendents
* Level I Interviews
* Human Resources and Area Superintendents
* Community Panel Interviews
* 10 voluntary members: 3 Certificated Staff, 2 Classified Staff, 2 Parents/Guardians, 1 Student, 1 Site Administrator, 1 Area Superintendent, and 1 Human Resources Facilitator
* Performance Interview (Principal Only)
* Classroom observation with feedback to educator; candidates with Human Resources and Area Superintendent
* Superintendent Interview (Principal Only)
* Candidate(s) with Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent
* Board Approval & Announcement
“El timetable is usually designed around board meeting dates for final approval,” Richison said. “We try to stay within a 30-day window from start to finish however, it sometimes is extended if there are not enough qualified candidates.”
Richison went on to note that the hiring criteria for the individuals on the panels to review and consider is collected from students, staff, parents and community.
“A letter is sent out from the Area Superintendents to solicit data that informs the criteria for the community panel,” Richison remarked. “The data is collected from a survey and the Area Superintendent holds meetings in person or via Zoom to talk to the various educational partners.”
If all goes according to plan, the new principal will be in place and have had a chance to get their feet wet when Patrick Henry students head back to classes on Aug. 21.
Mensajero de Mission Times caught up with Irwin recently to discuss her time at Patrick Henry and what the near future holds for her.
MTC: Talk a little bit about how you got started at Patrick Henry, when you took over as principal etc.
Irwin: I applied to be the PHHS principal in June of 2020 after the former principal retired. This was during the height of the pandemic. My interviews, my first meetings with staff and parents were all online…never in person. There was a significant shift in how to lead from a distance. My very first in person staff meeting was August 2022. What a treat to see all staff in one location in person. It was difficult to start a new school without students or teachers on campus. However, in April 2021, campus came back to life when we were able to open our doors for our students and staff. We still had to wear masks but at least students were back. Each year following it has gotten better as routines have been re-established and our Green and Gold culture has been rebuilt.
MTC: What are some of your fondest memories as principal at PHHS?
Irwin: PHHS will always hold a special place in my heart. The PHHS students are amazing, brilliant, funny and always put a smile on my face. I think some of my fondest memories will be their energy at athletic events, pep rallies, and dances. I will also remember the many times I was in awe of their brilliance as I listened to their class discussions and their thoughtful questions they would ponder.
MTC: What led you to seek the position you will be assuming in July and what do you most look forward to achieving in it?
Irwin: I would like to use my 21 years of experience of being both a middle school and high school principal to support the SDUSD middle schools. I have grown tremendously as an educator in San Diego Unified and would like to continue my career in a district leadership role to further support the students within San Diego Unified that I have dedicated myself to and have always believed in. I am driven by the words of Frederick Douglass who stated, “It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men.” I would like to lead our secondary administrators in the work of building connectedness with our staff members, students, and families toward a shared vision of inclusive academic rigor, social-emotional growth, and cultivation of a curiosity and passion for learning in San Diego Unified School District.
MTC: What advice might you have for the new principal when it comes to the job they will inherit, working with staff, the relationship with students and parents etc.?
Irwin: My advice to the next principal….Enjoy every moment and remember the purpose of the next principal is to continue to develop upon PHHS in order to create it a better school. Thomas Henry Huxley once said, “The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man’s foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.”
