Dr. Shawne Holder began as principal on the same year that they rezoned the district’s elementary schools, changing the school name from Eagle Ridge Elementary to Lakeview Academy. Before that, she'd been the principal of the a much smaller elementary school Jasper County District. But Dr. Holder never had the intentions of becoming principal of either school when she graduated with her Masters of Early Childhood Education from Georgia State. "I loved being in the classroom and teaching. I loved third grade," said Dr. Holder, "And then I was asked to move into an assistant principal position, and then asked to put my name in the hat for principal at the same school." She would later go on to get degrees in Library Media Leadership from Georgia College and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Mercer.
With each subsequent position at the school, Dr. Holder found herself responsible for more and more children and that, as far as she was concerned, only meant more to love. "I've enjoyed serving at all levels, but I think as a leader, in a principal's position or assistant principal's position, you get to see all the kids and you get to be part of all the kid's lives. You get to go into all of the classrooms and build relationships with all of the students."
But also with each subsequent position at the school in Jasper, and then at Baldwin, Dr. Holder inherited more and more responsibility, and the stressors of that responsibility, for many, can be overwhelming. National Principal's Month gives us an opportunity to reflect and appreciate the work that our principals do to enable the success of their students.
Our country is currently experiencing a national educator shortage at every level along the K through 12th grade spectrum, and that includes principals. In response, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has advocated for more funding for Title II-A, which supports critical professional development programs to keep high value principals in the profession.
"I look at the little faces that I see and interact with every day and that's what inspires me to get up and come and continue my role as principal."
Dr. Holder recognizes the stresses of the job, but says that it's balanced by the rewards. "I look at the little faces that I see and interact with every day," she said, "and that's what inspires me to get up and come and continue my role as principal."
Dr. Holder also attributes her success in the role of principal to the support she receives within the Baldwin County community of school principals. "We are actually a very tight group," she said, "and we're very supportive of one another." This small cadre of Baldwin County Principals; this league of leaders, work together to remind one another of upcoming events, they go through professional development together, and support one another through difficult times. "It's sort of a no-principal-left-behind thing," said Dr. Holder.
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