Unlike the average days of fifth period IB Theatre Arts class where we would be conversing and pretending to be “working on our scenes,” Thursday, November 6, 2008, was a present surprise.
A picture of principal Hechtman from the Issaquah School District website.
Hounded by his intellectual and interested students about just who their now-second year principal Lisa Hechtman is, good friend James Henderson invited the leader of Skyline High School to come in and discuss everything ranging from her background and favorite music to what her plans were for making the ASB more accessible to all.
From the start, the conversation, as it usually is in the class, was engaging. Hechtman was asked her favorite type of music. She replied that her agricultural roots from a farm on the Sacramento Delta encouraged her to listen to country music, but that she is a fan of any music that, “tells a story.”
The light-hearted questions changed into more serious and, at some times, emotional issues revolving the school and its processes. Early on, the Theatre students were interested in hearing how she plans to change the curriculum of what was a dying Theatre Tech program.
Hechtman, who is a great supporter of the arts and believes that they are the foundations of successful schooling in other studies, stated that it was important for the Tech class to receive more funding and become a worthy course, as it once was. The principal, who recently gave hundreds of dollars to the program for a much-needed addition to the dressing rooms, also expressed interest in incorporating woodshop or metals-like lessons to the class, but noted that such additions are not a priority at this time.
The other major topic of discussion was the communication, or lack thereof, about senior requirements throughout the school. Hechtman acknowledged that the administration has not found a viable alternative to SPTV, which this year has been moved to lunch because it was a waste of class time, but believes that the oft-forgotten E-News is a good way to solve the problem. She also would be interested in going back to, as junior Jacob Moe-Lange so eloquently referred to as the, “ghetto” announcements over the intercom, as they have been successful in short doses for advertising college visits and informational sessions.
Among other things, Hechtman understands the implications of a red tape-lined ASB but recognizes that with state and district rules, many of the complications are unavoidable, she doesn’t condone the Spartan “spirit” at football games and is understandably annoyed with the inverse relationship between fan politeness and team success. She hopes that the Spartan fans will change their ways but realizes that there are 500 fans to 3-5 staff members and even referred to it as “a little bit scary.”
All in all, Principal Hechtman’s visit to the class changed most of the views of the students in the class. Many of the student body are angered by the way she disassociates herself with the kids, and in some ways hold irrational grudges before her. But in all reality, what Hechtman has done at Skyline over the two years has been remarkable. She has become the reliable leader that staff enjoy, and she simply gets things done. She may have a no non-sense attitude, but it is for our own good, not hers.
Hechtman brings stability to a job that had four principals in five years, and brings a friendly spirit wherever she goes. At this point, I cannot think of a better candidate for a high school principal job than current leader Lisa Hechtman.
Comments
A principal, is a little like a parent- they can’t be so worried about being your “friend” that they neglect your best interests, even if those interests don’t necessarily please you at the moment. However, if this is accepted as true, you can’t really blame students for their opinions towards her, as it is completely normal for every teen to deliver their fair share of “I hate you’s” to their parents, regardless of how illogical they are at the time. The same is true with the position of principal; looking back, or even once students have matured a bit more as some seniors have, most will realize that their negative opinion of her was unfounded.
On the other hand, as Jake would say, say hello to The Man for me, Bill.
Bill, you just like Hechtman because you look like her!
I have noted a bit of a resemblance before via Facebook comment on a picture where we looked remarkably similar, as I am sure ‘Anonymous’ saw before seeing this.
But to say that I only like Ms. Hechtman because I look like her is an insult to her reign and her appearance and I will not stand for such business.
I still find her lack of communication with the student body astounding. Though she may be working hard as many claim, what matters is perhaps the connections and respect through talking and getting to know students. How can she know what we are concerned about when she is so far removed from the student body?
I think Connie brings up a valid point- Hechtman holds the regular “Lattes with Lisa” for parents to have a chance to meet with her, but she isn’t incredibly available for student representation. I’m sure that if a student had a specific concern, said student could make an appointment to discuss it with her, but otherwise, it does appear as if there are few avenues for student input.
I have worked with her a ton and she knows everything that is going on. She is constantly talking to teachers about teacher student relations and has a hand in everything ASB does. I cannot tell you how much she has fought for us. She convinced the construction to hold off on the Gym for as long as possible so we can have our assemblies in there and not have to have them outside. She was completely open to helping in our video and if you actually talk to her she is funny, warm and inviting. Furthermore, I don’t understand what Che wants her to do. She is in the lunchroom most of the time, and you can talk to her if you want. Most people just don’t want to. The student body really doesn’t like her right now and I think she should focus herself on getting the school through this construction period and worry later about maintaining communication with the students. And, she took time to talk to the IB theater arts program, thats direct communication with the students. I think it would be a huge disaster for her to speak in front of the school in an assembly. No one likes her right now and no one would give her the time of day. She needs to do what she’s doing until people learn on their own that she’s awesome and not let the class of ’08s idea of her influence underclassmen. Once that distorted image of her fades she can begin communicating more with the school.
My opinion of her thus far is relegated to three things: one, whether or not she waives my PE, two, the fact she said to me (in a completely neutral, complimentary, attempting to not be creepy but still being kinda creepy way) once, “I love those low bass notes” when VJ performed for her, and three, the fact she seems to be running a pretty smooth ship thus far. Judgment is still not there yet.