Oral history interview with Dennis W. James conducted by Wayne Bennett on April 05, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, James reflects upon his 30-year career as a teacher and administrator in New York’s Sachem Central School District. He discusses the process by which he became a teacher and eventually an administrator, his regular responsibilities and challenges as principal, and his approach to school administration. He also discusses his experience being at school the day of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Oral history interview with Sarah McKenzie conducted by Brandy Campbell on October 22, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, McKenzie reflects upon her career as a middle school, high school, and special education administrator in Fort Worth, Texas. She describes the process by which she initially became a teacher, and later an administrator. She discusses her experiences working in special education, and describes her typical responsibilities and challenges.
Oral history interview with Arlen Simonson conducted by Marc Rogers on April 05, 2004 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Simonson reflects upon his 10 years of experience as principal at Indian Springs School in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1980s to the 1990s. He discusses his working relationship with students and teachers as the school’s only administrator. He also discusses the school’s relationship with the local United States Air Force base and the Thunderbirds.
Oral history interview with Dr. Manuel Madrid conducted by Jose Perez on November 25, 2002 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Madrid reflects upon his experience as principal and superintendent in Arizona. He describes his approach to school administration, and how his philosophy of administration differs from his philosophy of teaching. He also discusses his working relationship with teachers, and compares his experiences as dean, principal, and superintendent.
Oral history interview with Scott Ober conducted by Bettye Cobb on November 11, 2009 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Ober reflects upon his experience as an elementary school principal in Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses the impact that his family had on his administrative career, particularly as he was principal of D’Vorre and Hal Ober Elementary School, named after his parents. He also describes his typical job responsibilities, challenges, and working relationships with teachers and parents.
Oral history interview with Andre Long conducted by Robert Howe on April 26, 2007 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Long reflects upon his experience as an administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses how he became an administrator, and how his training influenced his approach to school administration. He describes his regular responsibilities and challenges, and provides his opinion on topics such as No Child Left Behind, standardized testing, and central office administration.
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 Pat Skorkowsky conducted by Russell Holmen on March 29, 2007 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Skorkowsky reflects upon his career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). He discusses the process by which he started working with CCSD as a teacher, and later became an administrator and assistant superintendent. He describes his approach to school administration, his working relationships with parents, teachers, and other administrators, and experiences that shaped his career.
Oral history interview with Matti Smith conducted by Jaime Golden on November 07, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith reflects upon her career as a teacher, counselor, and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). She discusses the process by which she first hired on with CCSD, different jobs that she held, and how her experiences shaped her approach to school administration. She also discusses some of her biggest responsibilities and challenges, offers suggestions for individuals interested in pursuing school administration, and provides her opinion on topics such as standardized testing and student values.
Oral history interview with Susan Tsukamoto conducted by Claudine Robinson on October 18, 2007 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Tsukamoto reflects upon her 33-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD). Having returned to work after retiring, she notes trends and changes that she has witnessed with standardized testing, curriculum development, and programs such as No Child Left Behind. She also reflects upon her experience as a principal, her biggest accomplishments and challenges, and her working relationships with parents, teachers, and students.