Josiah Sofidiya (285)
Staff Writer

Passing through the bustling halls of Central High School, an observant student might notice the absence of two prominent faces. Assistant principals (A.P.) Harrington and Brooks have moved on from Central and their absence has been felt by students. In their places, Mr. Myrick and Mr. Smith have come to be Central’s newest A.P.’s, and they are here to work hard.

The Centralizer sat down with both A.P.s for an interview in the hope of providing the student body with the stories behind these two new faces. After pleasantries were exchanged, we sat down in Mr. Myrick’s — formerly A.P Harrington’s — office, now filled with posters of comic book characters, and began.

We started with a couple of questions about their professional backgrounds. Mr. Smith said he has been teaching since 2008, starting with special education in the Bronx, New York and continuing on to teach social studies and subsequently Spanish in several other schools. Ultimately, while he loved the classroom, he decided that he was ready for a different type of challenge. Mr. Smith decided that taking up a leadership position would allow him to combine the satisfaction he gets out of helping teachers and the joy he finds in learning. Mr. Myrick followed a similar path. He was a classroom teacher for twelve years, but had another reason for becoming an A.P. After the tragic killing of Ahmaud Arbery, his seventh grade class began asking him about social justice. When the George Floyd protests happened later that year Mr. Myrick asked himself the question, “What can I do that will extend beyond this [his classroom] that will make an impact in education?” He found his answer in a school leadership position, and after a few years of moving around he found himself at Central High School.

When asked about the key lessons each AP was bringing from their prior experience, Mr. Myrick continued with his prior line of thought, saying, “we have to listen to students.” What students focus on has changed drastically since he was in school. He identified that there is now a bigger emphasis on understanding mental health and social issues. There is also the addition of technology and how it has changed the way students process information to be considered. Teachers need to figure out how to instruct students while understanding these changes. The best way to do so is to listen to the students themselves. Mr. Smith shared his view on schools, saying “I fundamentally see schools as a place of growth for everyone.” He went on to explain that everyone—from President Davis, to the faculty, to the student body—comes to school to grow. At Central, because of how hard we work, and the pride we take in our work, we are always striving towards growth.

When asked what their top priorities for the school year were, both administrators had immediate answers. Mr. Myrick’s top priority was to maintain Central High School’s legacy of excellence, while simultaneously supporting President Davis in moving the school into the future. Central’s rich academic tradition remains a central focus for Mr. Myrick, but equally as important is asking how faculty can “maintain what Central has been but still remain relevant to students of today and kids who will come in tomorrow.” Mr. Smith said that what AP Myrick said was “spot-on.” Being an assistant principal means continuously supporting President Davis’ vision, but also being committed to furthering the school’s history of equity and academic excellence. Both assistant principals were asked how they saw their role in fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in Central. Mr. Myrick said that his philosophy as an “equity-centered leader” is dedicated to listening to teachers and students to make them feel welcome. The diversity of our teachers and students allows us to tackle issues from a range of perspectives and find the best solutions, while still allowing faculty to take part in a collective vision. AP Smith commented further on Mr. Myrick’s idea saying, “diversity makes us better.”

Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Myrick agreed that our differing lived experiences allow us to approach problems more effectively than we would otherwise. In addition, as school leaders, Smith and Myrick believe it is their job to remove barriers that prevent Central’s school community from thriving. Making sure our school is a place where students know they are able to grow and meeting families and communities where they are is an important aspect of being an AP.

Moving away from the more serious questions, they were asked to reveal something that students would be surprised to learn about them. Mr. Myrick revealed that he was a massive Janet Jackson fan, traveling not just across the country, but the world to see her perform. Mr. Smith revealed that he was a former D1 college soccer player as well as an avid chess player.

To close the interview out, the newly minted assistant principals were asked what they think the best part of the school day is. For Mr. Myrick, despite the “can of worms” that it could release, his favorite part of the day is when kids stop in to visit him. For Mr. Smith, the most enjoyable part of the day is either admission or dismissal because it’s when people are smiling the most. Whether students smile because school is starting or ending doesn’t matter to Mr. Smith. The most important thing is that they are smiling and happy.

As the school year progresses, it is clear that Central’s new assistant principals are committed to preserving the school’s legacy and steering it towards a better future. With a focus on listening to students, fostering equity, and supporting growth, Mr. Myrick and Mr. Smith are set to make a lasting impact on Central’s community. Whether it is through a welcoming atmosphere or meaningful conversation, both students and staff can look forward to being seen, heard, and expected to thrive by these two new assistant principals.