Oral history interview with Fredric “Rick” Watson conducted by Mark Romonoski on April 19, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Watson reflects upon his more than 30-year career with Nevada’s Clark County School District as a teacher and administrator from 1964 to 2000. He describes the process by which he became an elementary school principal, and discusses his personal approach to education. He describes challenges that he faced at different elementary schools, discusses political challenges within the school district, and comments on having a school named after him.
Oral history interview with Dr. Theresa M. Smith conducted by Cheryl Waldman on February 23, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Smith reflects upon her 24 years as a school administrator in Nevada’s Clark County School District. She discusses her approach to school administration, describes her regular responsibilities and challenges, and compares her responsibilities between middle and high school. She also discusses teacher evaluations, and different challenges associated with evaluations and standardized student testing.
Oral history interview with Dr. Ken Stichter conducted by Kate Ward on March 08, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Stichter reflects upon his career as a teacher and administrator in Southern California. He describes his motivations for becoming a principal, his regular responsibilities and challenges, and his working relationships with teachers, students, and other administrators. He also discusses his experience as an assistant superintendent, and compares it with his experience as a principal.
Oral history interview with Carole Sorenson conducted by Andre Yates on November 11, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Sorenson reflects upon her career as a teacher in Burley, Idaho and eventually as a teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1950s to the 1980s. She describes her experience as an elementary school teacher, and then her subsequent positions as dean, assistant principal, and principal of junior high and high schools throughout CCSD. She discusses trends and changes that have taken place during her career, and comments on contemporary issues such as standardized testing.
Oral history interview with Chris Guinchigliani conducted by Suzanne Becker on July 20, 2007 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Guinchigliani discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1980s and teaching at a middle school. She also discusses involving herself in the teachers’ union as well as serving in various leadership positions.
Oral history interview with William K. Moore conducted by Jana Smart and Wendy Modglin on July 20, 2001 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Moore reflects upon his more than 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in both Nebraska and Nevada. He discusses the process by which he went from being a teacher to a principal in Nebraska, and eventually became a principal in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses his experience as principal of J. T. McWilliams Elementary School, challenges that he faced as an administrator, and his involvement with the Parent Teacher Association. He also offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration, and comments on having a school named after him.
Oral history interview with June Eshelman conducted by Elizabeth Goodman on March 14, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Eshelman reflects upon her nearly 30-year career as a junior high school music teacher and administrator with the Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1970s to the early 2000s. She discusses her early experiences as a music teacher and band director, and describes the challenges of transitioning from a teacher to a dean, and eventually principal. She also discusses her experience as a principal working at Gilbert Magnet School, and the different expectations that principals face when working with magnet programs.
Oral history interview with Gary B. Hafen conducted by Christopher McEntire on April 30, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Hafen reflects upon his 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s White Pine County School District and the Clark County School District from 1959 to 1989. He describes his approach to administration, his experience with school integration, and the importance of being present for students, parents, and teachers throughout the day. He also discusses what he believes makes a successful principal and school administrator, and describes the roles that teachers, assistant principals, and principals play in operating a school.
Oral history interview with Carol Bumgarner conducted by Kelly Fawcett on November 16, 2009 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Bumgarner reflects on her 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in the Clark County School District. She discusses how she was inspired to pursue administration, and the importance of maintaining those relationships with staff and fellow administrators. She describes her job duties as an administrator, and offers suggestions on how administrators can continue to foster meaningful relationships with their teachers and students.
Oral history interview with Carrie Townley Porter conducted by Claytee D. White on February 07, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Townley discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962, working as a substitute teacher and finishing her degree at Nevada Southern University (now the University of Nevada Las Vegas- UNLV). She also talks about teaching math at Gibson Junior High, working at UNLV as an archivist, a records analyst, and records administrator for different businesses.