Morgan Hill Unified’s three new principals, Moira Barker of
Barrett, Glen Webb of Britton and Lloyd Webb of Live Oak, were
treated to leadership training by Superintendent Wes Smith’s mentor
John Almond, a longtime educator and respected member of
California’s State Superintendents’ Committee.
Morgan Hill Unified’s three new principals, Moira Barker of Barrett, Glen Webb of Britton and Lloyd Webb of Live Oak, were treated to leadership training by Superintendent Wes Smith’s mentor John Almond, a longtime educator and respected member of California’s State Superintendents’ Committee.
The fact that Almond is Smith’s mentor comes as coincidence though. After Total School Solutions – the academic training company that employs Almond as a leadership coach – gave a presentation at the district, staff were highly dissatisfied with how it went. Smith called Total School and asked what they could do to remedy the misstep.
Total Solutions said: Name your service, Smith said Tuesday night at the school board meeting.
Almond gladly returned to Morgan Hill after teaching at Live Oak years ago, to now work individually with each principal to develop leadership skills “necessary for improving the effectiveness of site and district leaders.” They also discussed vision/goal setting, time management and delegation, communication, and hiring, supporting and supervising staff.
Lloyd Webb spoke to the experience he had in his meetings with Almond.
“It’s been invaluable having someone to bounce things off of. John’s service is truly invaluable,” Webb said.
When Smith was hired as MHUSD’s superintendent last November, he told the Anderson Valley Post that listening to Almond recount his days as a teacher at Live Oak High School played into his decision, saying he felt as if it was his second home. Almond is also a former superintendent for Cascade Union Elementary School District, the same district where Smith served as superintendent for four years before taking the MHUSD job.
After Almond told the school board about the progress of his leadership coaching, a few school board trustees joked that it was too bad his presentation went well or Smith could call Total Solutions again to try for another complimentary service.
Almond will continue to meet with the three principals throughout the school year, about every three weeks.
