By AARON HOLMES – Senior Copy Editor (ODYSSEY Newsmagazine)
Mary Thielman left her position as Clarke Central High School Associate Principal on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
The Clarke Central High School office of the Principal began the search for a new Associate Principal this week after Mary Thielman left the position.
Thielman, who was hired as the Associate Principal in Fall of 2011, left the job on Aug. 13 for an administrative position in the Cobb County School District.
Former Associate Principal Mary Thielman picks up trash in the Miller W. Jordan Jr. Food Court during her first year at Clarke Central High School. Photo originally published in ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Volume 9, Issue 1. Photo by Carlo Nasisse.
“She is the Performance Management Coordinator in Cobb County,” CCHS school scheduler and math coach Summer Smith said. “It was a brand new position, it’s definitely something she was excited about and a new step in her career.”
Assistant Principal Dr. Sheila Dunham said that the search to fill the position would fall exclusively to Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker.
“I don’t really know how this plays out. That’s Dr. Hooker’s decision. I’ve seen people bring interims in before, when the school year’s already started, but I don’t know how it’s going to be handled,” Dunham said.
Media center specialist Lindy Weaver worked at CCHS prior to Thielman’s hire three years ago. That year, she says, deliberation went into the search for an Associate Principal.
“Dr. Hooker wanted to not jump in and just hire anybody, he wanted to find the right person, so he held it open for the first few weeks of school,” Weaver said. “But it was a real struggle, we missed having somebody in that position.”
According to Weaver, the lack of an Associate Principal is felt throughout the school.
As Associate Principal, one of Thielman’s main responsibilities was approving the school’s master schedule every year. Photo originally published in ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Volume 10, Issue 6. Photo by Porter McLeod.
“(It is) felt by the students, too, even if you don’t see it. Especially at the beginning of the year, when you start the school year, it’s a huge position because the Associate Principal is usually in charge of the master schedule.”
Smith said that, although Thielman left at the start of the school year, this was not her decision.
“If she could have avoided leaving at this time she definitely would have. The position is a new position that Cobb County just created, and so the whole thing didn’t come to be until July. It was just bad timing,” Smith said.
Junior Naomy Huaman says that, throughout her high school career, Thielman was willing to answer questions and assist her plan her schedule.
“She recommended that I take Japanese in Georgia Virtual School. She helped me finish with it, and now I’m taking sociology. I never would have thought of it without her. She helped me until the very end,” Huaman said
Former colleagues felt that Thielman formed relationships with students that she assisted.
“She was really good at connecting with students and identifying their needs,” school social worker Dawn Meyers said.
Friday, Aug. 15 12:54 p.m.– Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker announced in an email to CCHS staff that special education department head Marie Yuran will act as the school’s interim Associate Principal until a permanent replacement is found. During that time, special education department teacher Dr. Ashley Wegmann will temporarily act as the department head.
Tuesday, Aug. 19 9:34 a.m.– After being reached for comment, Thielman responded to the ODYSSEY via email with thoughts on her departure. Thielman said that she valued her years at CCHS.
“Clarke Central is a special place. The level of commitment seen in teachers as they serve students and families is remarkable. I have developed relationships with some teachers and administrators which will remain central to my life,” Thielman said.
Thielman expressed both regret for leaving CCHS and excitement as she moves into her new position.
“Leaving CCHS was bittersweet. If that were not the case then either the reason and/or time to leave would have been wrong,” Thielman said. “I left because the opportunity for professional growth offered to me was too hard to pass up.”
In the email, Thielman also provided more information about her new position within the Cobb County School System.
“My title is Performance Management Coordinator. As such, I will oversee the new teacher evaluation system for the 8097 teachers who work in 114 schools within the district,” Thielman said.
Thielman also explained the circumstances under which her shift took place, and the reason for its timing.
“Personally, I would have liked it to come during the summer, so Clarke Central would have the time to locate and hire an appropriate replacement. It was difficult for me to start the school year and then leave,” Thielman said.
Reflecting on her new position, Thielman said that she will not forget her years spent at CCHS.
“I have to trust that people understand the reason for my departure and celebrate with me the new challenge that I have accepted in my career. I will return to Athens and visit Clarke Central as often as possible,” Thielman said. “After all, that will be like coming home to catch up with family.”
