Principal for A Day with CMSD

by Yvonne C. Hunnicutt

To participate in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) annual Principal for a Day on Tuesday, April 8th was truly an awesome, humbling experience.  The day was designed to bring all types of professionals into schools to experience the responsibilities principals are challenged with on a daily basis and the strengths of CMSD.  I was inspired by the students, staff and team at Martin Luther King Jr. High School and Health Careers Campus and the warm welcome and hospitality I received.

As I shadowed the Assistant Principal, I toured the school, spoke with students and learned about the plethora of vocational and educational options available to our future leaders.  Within the Career Campus for Law and Municipal Careers and Health Careers, the following areas of study are offered:

The Public Safety Academy prepares students through academic coursework and career technical education in:

• Fire Technology
• Criminal Justice
• Emergency Medical Services Pathways

Health Careers maintains a strong presence at Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State University offers these four areas:

• Dental Assistant
• Dental Lab Assistant
• Medical Assistant
• Nurse Assistant

Many of the students I spoke with were well on their way to earning certifications in either Public Safety or Health.  Bowling Green University, Kent State University, Ohio University, Harvard…are just a few of the colleges and universities from which seniors will begin their academic careers, while others will enter the workforce with the necessary requirements to immediately earn $30,000 in their fields!

As a proud Alumni of Martin Luther King, Jr. (then Law & Public Service Magnet) High School, my visit reaffirmed my thoughts about the benefits of a public school education:

1. There are caring and committed staff who are dedicated to working beyond their required responsibilities for every student;
2. there are students who are focused, determined and ready for their transition into adulthood; and
3. the support of the community and parents during the entire process.

It is very disheartening that the “stuff” that works almost always goes unrecognized in the media because negative coverage gets ratings.  However, I hope sharing my experience through the Principal for a Day opportunity will encourage other community members to support the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, its students and staff.

Thank you to the CMSD leadership, staff and students at MLK/Health Careers Campus for the invitation and I look forward to a continued partnership.

For more information about the CMSD programs, visit at www.cleveland.k12.oh.us and for MLK/Health Careers at www.cleveland.k12.oh.us/MLK.

School Administration Team
Marilyn Cargile, Campus Administrator
Samuel Maul, Small School Leader/MLK
Cynthia Hannish, Small School Leader/HCC
William Davis, Assistant Principal