Forest Hills — Dan McElheny admitted that becoming a school administrator was not part of his original career road map, until he was persuaded by colleagues to take an assistant principal internship at Eastern High School.
“I figured the internship was a really low-stakes way to just try it out and then I’d just go back to teaching,” he said.
Instead, McElheny found that he “loved the work” and went on to serve as Eastern’s assistant principal for five years.
“This is actually a very unique way to impact students and staff and families, and I like that I can make a significant mark in an administrative role,” he said.
This fall, McElheny stepped into a new role as principal of Eastern High. Josh White also joined the high school leadership team as an assistant principal, working alongside fellow assistant principal Jason Yelding.
Get to know them better in this edition of Meet Your Administrators.
Dan McElheny
Principal, Eastern High School
Other positions you have held in education:
- Social studies teacher, teacher leader and assistant principal, Forest Hills Eastern High School
What about jobs outside of education? McElheny said in high school he worked for the Grand Rapids Amateur Softball Association. “Before every night, I think it was like three nights a week, I got there, lined all the fields, got the bases out, ran the score, did the book, shut the place down at night. I basically just got to sit outside and drink Coca-Cola and watch adult softball games, and I got paid for it. It was a ton of fun.”
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s in secondary education for social studies and history, Calvin University
- Master’s in instructional technology, Central Michigan University
- Administrative certificate, Michigan Association of Secondary Principals
What drew you to Forest Hills and to Eastern High School? “It’s home. This is 14 years now and before that, I was a student teacher here. So, this is the only educational home I’ve ever known, and just to see the way that it has grown and changed and evolved over time, and just the really strong positive momentum — that’s something that I love and I want to continue to be a part of. I think this community provides an incredible place for students to learn and to thrive and to prepare themselves for the future, and it’s a great place to work and to be a part of that community.”
How would you encourage student voice in your building? “A big point of emphasis for us at Eastern High School is trying to listen to our stakeholders, whether that’s student voice, staff voice or community voice, and trying to learn more about their experience. Then once we’ve listened and heard about their experiences, trying to develop action steps that can improve that experience.”
McElheny said one of the ways they have been gathering feedback is through a survey that Josh White helped develop. School counselors and Multi-tiered Systems of Support coordinators have been meeting with students to talk about what they like and areas they want to see improved. The goal also includes engaging parents and the community in meaningful conversations while being intentional and strategic about finding ways to enhance the educational experience for all students, he said.
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less. “Conscientious and intentional listener and decision-maker.”
Cats or dogs and why? “I grew up with dogs, but I have a cat right now. Caring for a cat fits a little better with the schedule here.”
What book, movie, TV show, or podcast have you loved lately? “I’m kind of like an Edmund Fitzgerald nerd.” From a shelf, McElheny pulls “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” by John U. Bacon. The other book he read over the summer was “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
What’s one thing on your bucket list? “I’d like to go to a Michigan State University Rose Bowl. That would be really cool, A, because they would actually be there, and B, it would be such a beautiful setting, especially with the sun setting. That’s how I imagine it, anyway.”
Josh White
Assistant principal, Eastern High School
Other positions you have held in education:
- Principal, assistant principal and special education provider, Westminster Public Schools, Denver, Colorado
- Special education provider, Michigan Center School District
What about jobs outside of education? While at Siena Heights University, he had a work-study program with the athletic department. “I was an athlete as well, and we were able to watch the other athletes perform and play while also working, which is a fun job to have on a Saturday morning — watching the women’s and men’s soccer team play, and just having that school spirit.”
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s in elementary K-8 comprehensive with a K-12 learning disabilities endorsement, Siena Heights University
- Master’s in K-12 educational leadership, Eastern Michigan University
What drew you to Forest Hills and to Eastern High School? “Forest Hills, I knew, had a great reputation of high academic achievement, and then also a great cultural feel with having the three different boundary areas. Each one represents different areas of the school district, but it’s just one big Forest Hills as well. I thought that was really neat, especially coming from a larger district that had similar philosophies. I was really drawn to that.
“I thought it’d be really neat to go back to a high school setting. I started my career working in a 7-12 building, and Eastern High is set up very similar to that, being a 6-12 building with a middle school and a high school within one building. So I was really intrigued.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? White said his former principal, now Michigan Center School District Superintendent Brady Cook, encouraged him to pursue school administration.
“As a new teacher, he really encouraged me to go get my master’s degree in educational leadership, and he was giving me leadership opportunities when he was out of the building to help support the staff. While doing that, I really enjoyed the ability to make the school a better place for everyone who walked into it, and the amount of influence that comes with that role to try our best to ensure everyone has a great educational experience.”
How would you encourage student voice in your building? White is helping to lead a survey to gather more student, staff and community voice. Adults may think they know what needs to change, he said, but without listening to student voices, they may overlook important pieces of the puzzle.
“You want everyone’s experience as they walk through the door, no matter if it’s a teacher, a parent or a student, to have a positive experience here. We have that growth mindset that there’s always something that we can improve on to ensure that our stakeholders are having the best experience they possibly can have.”
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less.“Collaborative and building strong relationships.”
Cats or dogs and why? “I just grew up with dogs and cats. I just enjoy the playfulness of a dog. I know cats can be playful. The current cat I have right now is not playful. I inherited a cat through our marriage, and Fender, he is just not the most warm and fuzzy cat in the world. So, I’m definitely more of a dog person.”
What book, movie, TV show, or podcast have you loved lately? White has been listening to the Corporate Competitor Podcast with author and former Sports Illustrated writer Don Yaeger. “He brings in leaders who were influenced by athletics, and it could be from a high school sport all the way to professional sports, and how those life lessons have helped them become great leaders.”
What’s one thing on your bucket list? “I would like to visit all seven continents.”
Read more from Forest Hills:
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• Humane Society brings animal welfare lessons to the classroom
