Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Latinda Dean stands in front of the ceremonial entrance at CCHS. Dean enjoys her job as Assistant Principal because she can help more students. “When I’m observing teachers and coaching them and we’re working through lesson plans, and we’re talking about all things as far as an instructional leader is concerned, I’m able to touch even more students than I previously was,” Dean said. Photo by Luna Reichert
Whether Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Latinda Dean is discussing behavioral issues with a student, observing teachers in classes or monitoring students transitioning between periods, the interactions with students has always been her favorite part of working in education.
Dean’s journey began once she graduated from the University of Georgia in 2005 with an English degree, initially interested in journalism.
“I didn’t exactly decide (to go into education originally). I went to school at UGA, and upon graduating, I was unemployed. Someone told my mother about an English teacher position that was available in the next county, and I was able to secure the job,” Dean said. “I thought that it was something that I would do for maybe a year, but each year went by and I realized, this is really what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Latinda Dean poses for a picture with her cousin, Ineakey Biggins-Daniel at Dean’s graduation from Troy University. Dean and Biggins-Daniel have a close relationship, and Biggins-Daniel helped influence Dean to go into teaching. “I entered the TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) program and after I did she and I talked about it, and later she decided to do it as well,” Biggins said. “Once she decided to do it, I really think it was good for her. It very much so fit her profile.” Photo courtesy of Latinda Dean
Once Dean realized that education was what she wanted to do, she decided to complete the Teacher Alternative Preparation Program, took the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators for educational leadership, and received an educational specialist degree.
“Having those two (certifications) are what (eventually) allowed me to pivot and go after positions that were outside of the classroom, such as the instructional coach position and my current administrative position,” Dean said.
Even before Dean became a teacher, Ineakey Biggins-Daniels, Dean’s cousin, had always seen Dean as compassionate and dedicated, making education a natural fit for her.
“As a person, because she is so caring and thinking of others all the time, I can see her transferring those interpersonal skills that she has to making sure her students receive a good education. Making sure that they are heard, making sure that what they feel matters,” Biggins-Daniels said.
Dean worked as an instructional coach at Central High School in Macon, Georgia and English Department Chair at Albany High School in Albany, Georgia.
“I have high expectations for my students at all times. I still do, that will never change. But students also knew that I really cared about them as individuals and as human beings,” Dean said. “Being genuine, and having a very caring and positive attitude towards students, in addition to being someone who is well-versed in your content area — I think it takes both, I don’t think one works without the other.”
Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Latinda Dean smiles for a picture at the CCHS ceremonial entrance. One of Dean’s favorite things about being a CCHS administrator is the one-on-one connection she can get with students.“I have found that once I have had to speak to a student in regards to discipline, from there I’ve been able to form relationships with students,” Dean said. “So before it gets to a place where they’re receiving a referral, I can talk to them, find out what’s going on and kind of redirect them.” Photo by Luna Reichert
Albany High School alumna Alaina Lewis formed a strong bond with Dean as a student, and along with some classmates, has continued to keep in touch.
“With me and the people who went to high school with me, I’ve seen people still communicate with her and people still check in and let her know how they’re doing. While she was my teacher, I would stay after class, or I would come to school to talk to her,” Lewis said. “We developed a further teacher-student relationship. As I (continued) through high school, I still would go back and visit her and talk to her whenever I was free.”
Soon after her transition into this new field, Biggins-Daniels saw the fulfillment it brought her.
“Once she took the teaching job she really saw that it was a need, that she had a passion for it. So I was happy for her in that regard, and I really think that the education field speaks to her and she speaks to education,” Biggins-Daniels said.
When Dean interacts with students, she is able to fulfill one of her core tenets, a motivation to help and support others.
“One of the most important things for me as a person is to help other people, and in teaching, you’re helping students to learn, helping students to grow,” Dean said. “If you’re really fortunate, you helped to spark their interest in some thing and help them to begin to think about what they want to do with their life. It has allowed me to fulfill that part of myself that always needs to help somebody. In education, that is the work.”
“(Education) has allowed me to fulfill that part of myself that always needs to help somebody. In education, that is the work.”
— Latinda Dean,
CCHS Assistant Principal
After spending time working with students on a smaller scale, Dean sought leadership positions and began her role as an administrator for the 2019-20 school year.
“Before being an administrator and an instructional coach, I was a classroom teacher for many years, and I had a direct connection because I saw students day in and day out,” Dean said. “As an administrator, similar situation. Now I’m able to touch even more students than I previously was, because I’m impacting instruction from the top down.”
For Dean, the motivation to help students in an administrative capacity stems from the gratification of seeing their successes.
“I have had a couple students tell me, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I would not have graduated, I would have dropped out.’ When it’s graduation time and I see them with their caps and gown on, a lot of times I actually cry, because I realize that that is a huge milestone for them, and I’m just glad that I could be even a little part of it. I still will always get random messages saying ‘Thank you for helping me’ or ‘Thank you for supporting me,’” Dean said.
Lewis views Dean’s desire to take an administrative position as a product of Dean’s passion for supporting her students.
“I’ve been happy to see her go from being a teacher to now being an administrator,” Lewis said. “I feel like her love and caring for students is very present. I’ve definitely had teachers where I’m just going to class and that’s all they’re doing with me, but that (was) not the case with her.”
Clarke Central High School Assistant Principal Dean works at her desk in her office at CCHS. Dean enjoys her job as CCHS assistant principal, and has learned a lot from it. “One thing I will say is that you, you learn that you have to be very organized and aware of time management, because you do have so many things on your plate, and so many hats to wear,” Dean said. “And so it’s not a position where you can procrastinate and wait to do things.” Photo by Luna Reichert
In addition to helping students, Dean’s new position as an administrator allows her to also build relationships with teachers.
“(I can support teachers) when I’m observing (them) and coaching them and we’re working through lesson plans, and we’re talking about all things as far as an instructional leader is concerned.”
When CCHS English department teacher Jennifer Tesler sought out Dean for help, she was always eager to offer aid.
“I’ve reached out to her multiple times to ask for her opinions on some of the lessons that we’re creating (for Multicultural Literature), and she has given suggestions on curriculum. Ms. Dean has offered ideas for specific texts that we could use and she’s really been supportive,” Tesler said. “When the pandemic first started in the spring, she would always check in on us over Zoom, just to make sure that teachers were doing alright.”
Since working with Dean, CCHS Assistant Principal Reginald Thomas has always seen her passion for students and education.
“She’s passionate about her work, she’s passionate about equity and equality for all of our students, and she’s passionate about making sure that instruction is going on in the classroom,” Thomas said. “Students are a top priority for her, and when she feels like students aren’t getting what they need academically, or that instruction is not up to par, I think that bothers her more than some other things. That’s what it should be about, pushing the teachers to make sure that they are providing relevant instruction and rigorous instruction.”
Looking back over her career, Dean can see the many lessons she learned from her students that she hopes to continue to apply as her career continues.
“Because I’m an educator, I think I’m a patient person. Because you have to have patience. You have to have a positive attitude. You have to be resilient,” Dean said. “You have to be a very compassionate and caring person because our students do not come from the same background, and some of our students come from some really difficult situations, and they have experienced things as teenagers that I’ve not experienced as an adult.”
