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Principals eager for their new challenges

New leaders stress their commitment to schools' performances.

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published February 20, 2005

NEW TAMPA - Judith Kennedy has spent her 33-year education career working in elementary schools.

That all changed Wednesday, when she took over as principal of Greco Middle School in Temple Terrace. She had been principal at Valrico Elementary School since 1998.

She sought the new job, eager for an opportunity to expand her professional skills.

"The middle school curriculum is challenging, and the kids are challenging," said Kennedy, 54, who will commute from her Valrico home.

"The principals before me have set a wonderful stage for me."

Topping her agenda: to boost the school's state grade above C.

"I have very high expectations for myself and others," said Kennedy, who replaces Janet Spence, now administrator on special assignment for middle schools.

She plan to split her time between Greco and Valrico Elementary until mid March. The district does not want to pull principals from schools in the days leading to FCAT, she said.

"What will I miss most? The hugs," she said. "The little kids. The "I love you, Dr. Mrs. Kennedys,' " she said.

Kennedy received her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University about two years ago. She came to the Hillsborough district in 1980, after seven years in Lee County schools.

Hers was one of several principal appointments last week.

Bobby Smith, 35, became the new principal at Benito Middle School, where he served as a teacher and assistant principal for four years, until last summer.

"Because of that rare chemistry between the community, the school and the neighborhood, I fell in love with it as assistant principal and would never pass up the opportunity to lead it," he said.

Before becoming an educator, Smith was an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida, where he also was strength and conditioning coach for the athletic teams.

He became a middle school teacher in 1997.

"It was a true calling," he said. "As a coach, it was a dynamic life, exciting. But there was something I was missing. The first day I walked in front of students, I recognized it."

Smith moved quickly up the ladder, becoming an administrative resource teacher at Benito in 2000 and an assistant principal in 2001. He went to B.T. Washington K-8 in July 2004.

When the Benito job came open, because Scott Fritz moved to Giunta Middle in east Hillsborough, Smith could not resist returning.

"It's a smooth-running school," said Smith, who lives in eastern Pasco County.

Smith will focus on continuing the school's trend of high performance, and keep pushing students to challenge themselves academically. Benito has earned an A from the state four of the past five years.

He begins his new assignment on March 14.

Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at 813 269-5304 or solochek@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 19, 2005, 08:08:05]