Tony Quinn is the new interim principal at West Oakview Elementary School. SNN gets to know him in this edition of Meet Your Principal.
Other positions in education: assistant principal, Central Elementary School, Traverse City Public Schools; middle school teacher and coach, Forest Hills Public Schools
How about jobs outside education? Camp counselor, tutor, Green Day concert security guard: “It was for one summer when I was in college. My friend’s dad was in charge of security in Detroit, and they needed someone to stand in front of the stage.”
Spouse/children: Wife, Kori; and three children: McMillan, 16; Crandall, 14; Addyson, 11.
Hobbies/Interests: Hanging out with family, coaching lacrosse … “I enjoy the outdoors as much as I can.”
What kind of kid were you at the age of students at this new school? “I loved sports, loved to be outside, and I did love my teachers. I can probably go down the list and tell you every teacher I’ve had. Being influenced by educators made this a clear career choice for me.”
The biggest lesson you have learned from students is: “I learn lessons from students on a daily basis, but I’d have to say to not to take yourself too seriously. In my role you can get caught up in the busy-ness of the workload. Take time to notice and really appreciate students walking down the halls, smiles on their faces. I don’t think anybody got into education because they love the paperwork and the data. We do this because we love the children.”
If I could go back to school I would go to: “my freshman year of college, because I probably didn’t study enough. Not probably; I know I didn’t study enough.”
If you walked into your new school building to theme music every day, what would the song be? “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
