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Freedom to be picky
By LOGAN D. MABE, Times Staff Writer TAMPA PALMS -- Freedom High School principal Richard Bartels will be doing quite a few job interviews over the next few months as he fields a faculty and staff for the school's opening in August. He'll be asking one question of every applicant: "Why would a youngster enjoy coming to your class every day?" Then Bartels will ask himself, "Would I want this teacher teaching my son?" So far, that system has worked well for Bartels, who was appointed to lead Freedom High after nearly three years running King High School. Newsweek magazine ranked King as one of the top 100 high schools in the country last year. "I think the most important part of the job is selecting faculty," said Bartels, 53, who has been in the Hillsborough County School District since 1970. "That's where I spend an incredible amount of my time." Bartels began his career as a history teacher at Dowdell Junior High School, fresh out of the University of Tampa. He also taught at B.T. Washington and Greco junior high schools before taking a job at Robinson High School in 1979. He became an administrator in 1984, when he was appointed assistant principal at East Bay High School. He helped open Bloomingdale High in 1987, where he was also an assistant principal. Bartels transferred to King High School in 1998 and became its principal in March 1999. He will officially begin his duties at Freedom High on Feb. 11. Until then, Bartels will be "pulling double duty" as the de facto principal of both schools. But he's already getting lots on inquiries about teaching jobs. "I've been inundated with phone calls and e-mails from people want to come to Freedom High School," said Bartels, who earns $86,558. "For me, it's a distinct honor and an extraordinary opportunity to open a new school as principal. You can feel the excitement, enthusiasm and energy among the staff, and the kids pick up on that. People want to be part of something that's new. They want a chance to be present at the creation of a new school." Like King, Bartels wants Freedom to become a school that is "noted for its academic excellence." To that end, he'll be looking for the cream of the crop. "I look for teachers who know their subject matter, can get it across to kids, and can do that in their own style," Bartels said. "I'm looking for teachers who have a passion for their subject matter and who like kids. All kids." - Logan D. Mabe can be reached at (813) 226-3464 or at mabe@sptimes.com.
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From the Times |
