Associate Principal of Operations Tamika Henson (left) speaks at an ODYSSEY Media Group press conference on Nov. 1, 2023 alongside Associate Principal of Instruction Summer Smith (right). Henson, who was recently promoted from assistant principal, worked closely with former Associate Principal Cindi Lowe before applying for the position. “Before Dr. Lowe left, our relationship was different. It seemed like we were always together,” Henson said. “Watching her learn, I knew the position would come available at some point, and I knew I would apply for it.” Photo by Aza Khan
Associate Principal Tamika Henson seeks to form connections and fine-tune administrative processes within the CCSD.
Following her six years as a math department teacher and one and one-half years as assistant principal at Clarke Central High School, Tamika Henson was officially named associate principal on Dec. 15, 2023.
As Associate Principal of Operations, Henson oversees students’ safety and school infrastructure. After observing former Associate Principal Cindi Lowe, Henson determined that the position would play to her strengths.
“I knew the position would come available at some point, and I knew I would apply for it,” Henson said. “I’m getting the opportunity to be who I am, I’m a relationship builder, I love to talk, I love to solve problems, I love to get to make connections and see things get fixed.”
“ knew the position would come available at some point, and I knew I would apply for it,” Henson said. “I’m getting the opportunity to be who I am, I’m a relationship builder, I love to talk, I love to solve problems, I love to get to make connections and see things get fixed.”
— Tamika Henson,
Associate Principal of Operations
Senior Jaidah Faust took Henson’s Honors Geometry class during the 2021-2022 school year, and praises Henson’s friendliness.
“It’s easy for (Henson) to connect with others, and it’s easy for others to connect with her. She’s easy to talk to, and she’ll listen to you,” Faust said. “She’s just a great person, overall.”
Math department co-chair Heather Julian believes that the traits that made Henson an effective math department teacher make her an effective associate principal, as well.
“(Henson) has definitely transitioned very well. Her organization has helped her because one of the things she’s over is all of our safety,” Julian said. “She was right on it from the very beginning, sending us reminder emails, listening to concerns – very timely in her responses about anything with safety and kind of building-wise. I’m also very pleased that she’s still down (on the math hallway) with us because her presence makes a difference in the hallways.”
As part of her responsibilities, Henson must evaluate and improve school-wide policies, something she feels prepared for.
“I’m efficient, very very much so. I just want to see how can things get better, how can we do things better, how can we not waste time on things,” Henson said. “As I continue to work in this role, I’ll continue to not change things just for the fun of it, (but) tweak things when adjustments need to be made.”
