Ready for 2nd period - Newman Smith principal moving on to new career
Newman Smith High School principal Lee Alvoid is
ready to begin the part of her career that the first
32 years prepared her for. She will relinquish
control of the campus at the end of the school year,
when she'll retire after working her entire career
in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district.
"This job will make me a better professor," said Dr. Alvoid, 53, who will continue teaching at the university level and may do consulting work.
In exchange for a slower, less stressful schedule, she's trading in the walkie-talkie; the demanding breakfast and lunch duties; the endless meetings with teachers, parents, students and administrators; the megabytes of e-mail; the stacks of phone messages and a massive key ring for locks in every nook and cranny of a big school.
"Most of my day is spent in reaction mode, solving problems and addressing unexpected situations.
"I love the job, but there are a lot of high-stakes decisions to be made about kids, programs and their lives. As a principal, you're really in charge of, not only the 2,000 students and their quality of life, but also the 200 staff. The span of control is really amazing," Dr. Alvoid said of the nine years she's spent as a high school principal.
Dr. Alvoid said her days start at 5 a.m. and continue, almost nonstop, until 7 or 8 p.m., including a number of hours on the weekends.
Dr. Alvoid turned in her resignation in January. The district expected to name her replacement this week.
Award winner
In 1998, the U.S. Department of Education recognized her high school three times, as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, as a School of Excellence with an emphasis in Arts Education and as a New American High School.
"I want the next person to have the energy and the vision to take the school to the next level. I want the person to help the school get better and not just sit on the things we have done that are good," said Dr. Alvoid, who plans to stay in the area and teach undergraduates.
"I'm still going to come to [school-related activities], I just won't be in control. I just want to be a follower for a while," Dr. Alvoid said.
The educator, who spent 11 years in the classroom as a language arts, reading and gifted-and-talented teacher , will continue teaching courses at Southern Methodist University and Baptist University.
"I'll still be in a kid-oriented atmosphere; undergraduates really aren't that different from high school students, they just don't chase each other.
"I'll still be in a teaching mode. The kids think it's funny; we're all going off to college," she said.
Dr. Alvoid worked as a language arts coordinator and staff development coordinator prior to assistant and associate principal positions at Vivian Field Middle School and R.L. Turner High School, respectively. She became principal of DeWitt Perry Middle School in 1984 and took the helm at Newman Smith in 1992.
Inspired beginning
Originally from San Antonio, Dr. Alvoid attended the University of Texas at Austin and thought her life's path would be in journalism. But as a tutor, she encountered a student football player who could not read. From that point on, she said, she was fascinated with the acquisition of knowledge and the process of learning to read. She earned a master's degree from Southern Methodist University and a doctorate at Texas Woman's University, where she instructs people who want to become principals.
Dr. Sheila Maher, principal of Creekview High School, said her colleague is the reason she is an administrator. She encouraged Dr. Maher to apply for an assistant principal's job many years ago.
"Lee has a plethora of strengths that have contributed to her success in the field of education," Dr. Maher said. "However, three stand out to me: her integrity, her intelligence and her passion for students.
"Lee has an internal compass that ensures the integrity of her actions are congruent with her belief system."
As an incredibly bright person, Dr. Alvoid easily digests scholarly work and has the gift of being able to apply research findings to the classroom setting, Dr. Maher said.
"Lee is a tireless advocate for students. Her decision-making reflects her insightful understanding that all decisions must be rooted in what is best for students," she said.
Future plans
Dr. Alvoid said writing is something she always knew she wanted to do. Two issues she wants to study are the structure of schools, specifically the amount of responsibility put on principals, and the way students' grades are assessed and evaluated.
"I'm going to be working to improve schools and the quality of life for the profession," Dr. Alvoid said. "One of the things I'd also like to change is the perception that teaching is an easy job with the summers off. ... Society has asked us to solve so many problems; the whole structure's wrong."
Cyndi Boyd, principal at DeWitt Perry Middle School, taught at Perry when Dr. Alvoid was principal. Her first administrative assignment was as one of Dr. Alvoid's assistants at Perry in 1992.
"Lee is a master at using humor to diffuse stressful and potentially difficult situations. In addition, she has a wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humor," Mrs. Boyd said.
Dr. Alvoid said a principal's job is intense and involves a lot of conflict, so you must find the absurdity in what you do whenever possible.
"The kids are really very funny, but I think I have a heightened sense of humor, which helps working in this field when I'm meeting with parents. It gets things back on an even keel.
"I tell my staff you have to take your job seriously, but not yourself, because education can make you feel overwhelmed with some of the sad, hopeless issues you have to deal with," Dr. Alvoid said.
Mrs. Boyd said Dr. Alvoid taught her a great deal about cultivating leadership in others and promoting the strengths of others, which are essential qualities for effective leadership.
"I am always impressed with Lee's keen intellect and her ability and desire to stay abreast of current issues. In addition, she has a remarkable ability to synthesize information and use it to address current needs in our buildings and in our district. She has an amazing mind. Lee is a fabulous speaker and thinks well on her feet," Mrs. Boyd said.
Mrs. Boyd said Dr. Alvoid is kind and compassionate. She cares about the quality of the world that teachers shape for tomorrow, and she understands that educators have the most important influence of any group.
"Without question, I am encouraged to know that her leadership and contributions will be a positive force as we forge the future of education in C-FB," Mrs. Boyd said.
Endless accolades
Superintendent Annette Griffin said Dr. Alvoid's commitment to students is unparalleled.
"She believes all kids can learn at very high levels, and she has given her life to kids," Dr. Griffin said.
Dr. Alvoid plans to take time for travel, with husband Dennis, who she said has been unnaturally patient over the years, considering the time commitment her position has demanded. She has relatives in Europe she hasn't seen in almost 10 years. In fact, the Alvoids depart for Europe on Aug. 14, the day students and teachers return to school.
Dr. Barry Dodson, principal of Barbara Bush Middle School, said he's been fortunate enough to be Dr. Alvoid's colleague for 17 years. Dr. Dodson was hired into the district as principal of Furneaux Elementary School in 1984.
"Several things come to mind when I think of Lee, but the most important thing is her natural ability to lead. You have to appreciate that perspective, and the fact she doesn't overact in situations. She's able to look at the big picture," Dr. Dodson said.
He said he is personally aware of the fact that Dr. Alvoid is an advocate for children because he saw it when his son was a student at Newman Smith.
"She would go to bat for the kids, whether it had something to do with a class schedule or not fitting in an extracurricular program and all of the other adolescent problems that kids go through," he said.
"She is the single, finest secondary school person this district has ever known," Dr. Dodson said.
"This job will make me a better professor," said Dr. Alvoid, 53, who will continue teaching at the university level and may do consulting work.
In exchange for a slower, less stressful schedule, she's trading in the walkie-talkie; the demanding breakfast and lunch duties; the endless meetings with teachers, parents, students and administrators; the megabytes of e-mail; the stacks of phone messages and a massive key ring for locks in every nook and cranny of a big school.
"Most of my day is spent in reaction mode, solving problems and addressing unexpected situations.
"I love the job, but there are a lot of high-stakes decisions to be made about kids, programs and their lives. As a principal, you're really in charge of, not only the 2,000 students and their quality of life, but also the 200 staff. The span of control is really amazing," Dr. Alvoid said of the nine years she's spent as a high school principal.
Dr. Alvoid said her days start at 5 a.m. and continue, almost nonstop, until 7 or 8 p.m., including a number of hours on the weekends.
Dr. Alvoid turned in her resignation in January. The district expected to name her replacement this week.
Award winner
In 1998, the U.S. Department of Education recognized her high school three times, as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, as a School of Excellence with an emphasis in Arts Education and as a New American High School.
"I want the next person to have the energy and the vision to take the school to the next level. I want the person to help the school get better and not just sit on the things we have done that are good," said Dr. Alvoid, who plans to stay in the area and teach undergraduates.
"I'm still going to come to [school-related activities], I just won't be in control. I just want to be a follower for a while," Dr. Alvoid said.
The educator, who spent 11 years in the classroom as a language arts, reading and gifted-and-talented teacher , will continue teaching courses at Southern Methodist University and Baptist University.
"I'll still be in a kid-oriented atmosphere; undergraduates really aren't that different from high school students, they just don't chase each other.
"I'll still be in a teaching mode. The kids think it's funny; we're all going off to college," she said.
Dr. Alvoid worked as a language arts coordinator and staff development coordinator prior to assistant and associate principal positions at Vivian Field Middle School and R.L. Turner High School, respectively. She became principal of DeWitt Perry Middle School in 1984 and took the helm at Newman Smith in 1992.
Inspired beginning
Originally from San Antonio, Dr. Alvoid attended the University of Texas at Austin and thought her life's path would be in journalism. But as a tutor, she encountered a student football player who could not read. From that point on, she said, she was fascinated with the acquisition of knowledge and the process of learning to read. She earned a master's degree from Southern Methodist University and a doctorate at Texas Woman's University, where she instructs people who want to become principals.
Dr. Sheila Maher, principal of Creekview High School, said her colleague is the reason she is an administrator. She encouraged Dr. Maher to apply for an assistant principal's job many years ago.
"Lee has a plethora of strengths that have contributed to her success in the field of education," Dr. Maher said. "However, three stand out to me: her integrity, her intelligence and her passion for students.
"Lee has an internal compass that ensures the integrity of her actions are congruent with her belief system."
As an incredibly bright person, Dr. Alvoid easily digests scholarly work and has the gift of being able to apply research findings to the classroom setting, Dr. Maher said.
"Lee is a tireless advocate for students. Her decision-making reflects her insightful understanding that all decisions must be rooted in what is best for students," she said.
Future plans
Dr. Alvoid said writing is something she always knew she wanted to do. Two issues she wants to study are the structure of schools, specifically the amount of responsibility put on principals, and the way students' grades are assessed and evaluated.
"I'm going to be working to improve schools and the quality of life for the profession," Dr. Alvoid said. "One of the things I'd also like to change is the perception that teaching is an easy job with the summers off. ... Society has asked us to solve so many problems; the whole structure's wrong."
Cyndi Boyd, principal at DeWitt Perry Middle School, taught at Perry when Dr. Alvoid was principal. Her first administrative assignment was as one of Dr. Alvoid's assistants at Perry in 1992.
"Lee is a master at using humor to diffuse stressful and potentially difficult situations. In addition, she has a wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humor," Mrs. Boyd said.
Dr. Alvoid said a principal's job is intense and involves a lot of conflict, so you must find the absurdity in what you do whenever possible.
"The kids are really very funny, but I think I have a heightened sense of humor, which helps working in this field when I'm meeting with parents. It gets things back on an even keel.
"I tell my staff you have to take your job seriously, but not yourself, because education can make you feel overwhelmed with some of the sad, hopeless issues you have to deal with," Dr. Alvoid said.
Mrs. Boyd said Dr. Alvoid taught her a great deal about cultivating leadership in others and promoting the strengths of others, which are essential qualities for effective leadership.
"I am always impressed with Lee's keen intellect and her ability and desire to stay abreast of current issues. In addition, she has a remarkable ability to synthesize information and use it to address current needs in our buildings and in our district. She has an amazing mind. Lee is a fabulous speaker and thinks well on her feet," Mrs. Boyd said.
Mrs. Boyd said Dr. Alvoid is kind and compassionate. She cares about the quality of the world that teachers shape for tomorrow, and she understands that educators have the most important influence of any group.
"Without question, I am encouraged to know that her leadership and contributions will be a positive force as we forge the future of education in C-FB," Mrs. Boyd said.
Endless accolades
Superintendent Annette Griffin said Dr. Alvoid's commitment to students is unparalleled.
"She believes all kids can learn at very high levels, and she has given her life to kids," Dr. Griffin said.
Dr. Alvoid plans to take time for travel, with husband Dennis, who she said has been unnaturally patient over the years, considering the time commitment her position has demanded. She has relatives in Europe she hasn't seen in almost 10 years. In fact, the Alvoids depart for Europe on Aug. 14, the day students and teachers return to school.
Dr. Barry Dodson, principal of Barbara Bush Middle School, said he's been fortunate enough to be Dr. Alvoid's colleague for 17 years. Dr. Dodson was hired into the district as principal of Furneaux Elementary School in 1984.
"Several things come to mind when I think of Lee, but the most important thing is her natural ability to lead. You have to appreciate that perspective, and the fact she doesn't overact in situations. She's able to look at the big picture," Dr. Dodson said.
He said he is personally aware of the fact that Dr. Alvoid is an advocate for children because he saw it when his son was a student at Newman Smith.
"She would go to bat for the kids, whether it had something to do with a class schedule or not fitting in an extracurricular program and all of the other adolescent problems that kids go through," he said.
"She is the single, finest secondary school person this district has ever known," Dr. Dodson said.
