Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Latinda Dean stands outside of the Ceremonial Entrance on Aug. 20. Dean completed her undergraduate education at the University of Georgia and worked in various cities around the state before returning to Athens during the summer of 2019. “It is very surreal. Years ago I was here as a student, I passed Clarke Central many times, but I never imagined coming back and actually working here and pouring into the students and community here. So it’s pretty cool to be back,” Dean said. Photo by Elena Gilbertson Hall
During the summer, Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Latinda Dean officially joined the CCHS Administrative Team.
Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Latinda Dean was hired to join the CCHS Administrative Team during the summer of 2019. Dean has 15 years of experience as an educator and most recently served as an instructional coach for English and social studies in Macon, Georgia.
During her first year in an administrative position, Dean plans to focus on establishing her role in the school building, as well as promoting literacy.
“My number one goal is to build relationships with everyone — students, faculty, parents, community — just to establish who I am and get to know everyone else. I think that’s a key part in helping things to work better, so that’s my primary goal,” Dean said. “Secondly, the literacy piece, focusing that lense on literacy and doing what I can to improve it here at Clarke Central so we see those rates increase and see students grow.”
The CCHS Administrative Team has several new hires in addition to Dean. Associate Principals Linda Boza and Reginald Thomas and Assistant Principal Summer Smith were each promoted from their previous roles in the school building. CCHS junior Kenoa Young hopes the new administrators make an effort to increase their accessibility to students.
“I want (an assistant principal that students) can actually go to and talk to. We understand they are looking out for the teachers, but I want them to also make it so students are comfortable enough to come to them and tell them problems that are going on,” Young said.
According to Dean, she is passionate about evolving in her career as an educator.
“I feel like there is a lot to learn in this role, so I expect and hope to be here for a while as an assistant principal. I think it’s very important that you learn everything you can and don’t necessarily jump into another role just because it’s available,” Dean said. “I know I want to be a principal, but I’m not sure after that. Some people say, ‘Do you want to be a superintendent?’ I’m not 100% sure — that’s possible, but that piece I don’t know.”
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