Blair vice principal retires

At the end of the first semester, Vice Principal Andrew Coleman announced his retirement, leaving Blair with a vacant vice principal position. Blair teacher William Currence has filled as interim vice principal for the remainder of the year.

After working at Blair for eight years, Dr. Coleman decided to retire at the end of the first semester. According to Principal Renay Johnson, people usually choose to end their seniority year in correspondence with when their first year began. "I can't speak for him, but some people may choose to leave at the same time of year they began," she said.

Mr. Coleman's absence has been very much noted by the Blair community, especially his iconic waiting period before making any important announcements. "It's weird not hearing 'I will wait eight seconds' on the intercom anymore," Johnson said.

According to county policy, administrative positions must be offered to any teacher in the county with appropriate qualifications. However, since Coleman left at the end of the first semester, Johnson could appoint someone from Blair as interim vice principal for the remainder of year.

In order to become an administrator, Currence had to complete his Master's degree in administrative coursework as well as an internship under vice principal Suzanne Harvey. Two years ago, he also became a testing coordinator at Blair. When the position for interim opened up, Currence applied and was selected for the position, which will be re-evaluated at the end of the year.

Currence's new role as acting vice principal means that he has assumed all of Coleman's duties, including taking on the role of ninth grade administrator and overseeing the Crisis and Emergency Plan. He also supervises Blair's Health and Physical Education (P.E.) teachers, science teachers and the career and technology teachers. Currence is now also responsible for managing all the disciplinary action in these departments.

Before assuming the role of interim vice principal, Currence taught Honors biology. As a teacher, Currence enjoyed interacting with his students on a daily basis and forming more permanent bonds with them. "Working with students every day, I really loved getting to know every one of my students and their stories. The biggest difference is now I meet students who I haven't taught, so it is a challenge to build a relationship and understand a given situation when you don't see a person regularly," Currence said.

In contrast, Currence now has to meet students he has not necessarily taught in the classroom, which he believes will make it harder to build a close of a relationship. "The biggest difference is now I meet students who I haven't taught, so it is a challenge to build a relationship and understand a given situation when you don't see a person regularly," he said.

At the end of the year, the position will be open and advertised throughout Montgomery County, and Johnson will review the applicants, checking that they have all the necessary certifications. Then, a panel, consisting of in-house staff as well as staff from the central office, will meet and determine the permanent assistant principal.

Johnson stated Currence's high energy and depth of knowledge in science and technology as well as state testing rules and regulations make him an asset to the Blair community. This will be helpful when the panel convenes and chooses Blair's permanent vice principal. "[Currence] will have the advantage because he has served in the role," she said.