Grand Rapids — On any given day, the new principal of César E. Chávez Elementary can be seen greeting students as they walk into school in the morning, serving food in the cafeteria during lunchtime, overseeing reading activities, leading guessing games, substitute teaching, and even singing songs to students.
It’s all part and parcel of Michelle Foreman’s philosophy on leadership and education.
“Part of my belief is you never ask anyone to do anything that you’re not willing to do,” Foreman said. “So you will find me in the trenches with my teachers.”
Foreman is a big believer in the power of education to shape and change lives. The way she sees it, everyone in the school community plays a vital role in the educational process, and no job within the school walls is too big or too small for her to take on.
She takes leadership seriously, and she expects a lot out of students, but that’s because she believes so strongly in their ability to succeed.
SNN got to know more about Foreman in this edition of Meet Your Administrators.
Other positions you have held in education:
- Kindergarten and first-grade teacher, Stafford Municipal School District, Stafford, Texas
- Consultant and principal, Texas Serenity Academy, Houston, Texas
- Remote learning academy founder and director of initiatives and school culture, KIPP Texas Public Schools, Houston
- Director of curriculum and instruction, Reve Prep Charter School, Houston
- Administrator on special assignment, Lansing School District
What about jobs outside education? “I was a majorette, and I’ve done baton groups with several of the schools where I’ve been an administrator,” Foreman said. Before she got into education, she was an insurance claims adjuster.
‘For me, leadership has always been about service. It is about building relationships, setting high expectations, holding ourselves accountable, celebrating progress, and never giving up on a child or a teacher.’
— Principal Michelle Foreman
Education/degrees: Foreman has a bachelor’s in international business from Davenport University, a master’s in curriculum and technology from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s in educational administration from Grand Canyon University. She’s also in the process of earning a doctorate in organizational leadership, also from Grand Canyon University.
What drew you to Chávez? Though Foreman grew up in Oceanside, California, she spent summers in West Michigan because her parents hailed from the area. She already had a personal connection to Grand Rapids when she saw that the principal position at Chávez was open.
She thought the school had tremendous potential, calling it “best-kept little secret” in the district. She said the staff, too, impressed her right away.
“There’s great teachers here, experienced teachers, teaching from the heart, and we’re going to make it happen. That’s why I’m here,” Foreman said, adding she’s keen to be at the forefront of a school that’s guiding students through the foundational kindergarten through second-grade years.
Why did you want to become an administrator? “I wanted to make a greater impact on the lives of children, educators and families. As a teacher, I loved working directly with students, but I realized that leadership would allow me to influence not only individual students, but an entire school community.
“I have always believed that all children can learn, and I wanted to be the leader who creates the environment, systems and opportunities necessary for that belief to become a reality. I wanted to support teachers, build their capacity, remove barriers to student success, and create a school culture where students feel valued, safe, challenged and capable of achieving their goals.
“For me, leadership has always been about service. It is about building relationships, setting high expectations, holding ourselves accountable, celebrating progress, and never giving up on a child or a teacher. I became an administrator because I wanted to be part of creating schools where every child has an opportunity to soar, and every adult feels empowered to make a difference.”
What would you like to share about your family? “I have two sisters and two brothers, and everyone’s back home in good old Southern California, with the exception of me and my brother in Sydney, Australia. … I have two nephews and four nieces. … We’re very close, and we talk every day.”
She added that her father was a marine, and that both of her parents “really stressed education” to Foreman and her four siblings.
Name three great things about going into K-12 education:
- “I love how you get to see the students evolve.”
- “The development of the teachers, where you help grow and develop that teacher.”
- “How your kids say good morning to you every day.”
What ideas or strategies will you bring to Chávez from your last posting? Foreman said she has a data-driven approach to goal-setting and problem-solving, and she plans to use that to help the district meet its existing objectives, including increasing math and reading scores by 5% by the end of the year.
She also plans to provide staff with ample opportunities for professional development, and to work with parents on intervention plans and issues like absenteeism.
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less: “Transformational, informative, transparent, clear and kind.”
Dogs or cats and why? “Cats,” Foreman said without hesitation. “Cats stay with you by choice.”
What song would you pick to define you? “Stronger” by Christina Aguilera.
Anything else? “I am very, very appreciative and very humbled that I get to be the administrator here at César Chávez.” She wants parents to know their kids are in great hands, and that great things are ahead.
“We’re going to make it happen this year, because we’re the Little Red Hawks. Watch us soar.”
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