Broadneck resident Lisa Leitholf is the principal of the only new school in Anne Arundel County this year ? Seven Oaks Elementary in Odenton. Previously, she was principal at Folger McKinsey Elementary, Annapolis Elementary and Tracey?s Elementary, all schools in Anne Arundel County. The projected enrollment at Seven Oaks from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade is 645. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the school is set for 3 p.m. on Monday School begins Tuesday.
Q What qualities were important when choosing your teachers?
AEnthusiasm, passion, commitment and compassion. And they have to be really, really smart, because it?s a very demanding and challenging job. They teach everything. At the high school level, you can be a content specialist. Here, you have to be able to put a number of subjects together and deliver them to a range of students.
Q What lessons have you learned as an elementary school principal?
A I?ve learned to respect different styles [of teaching] and ways of doing things. I?ve learned there are different ways of handling students who may be having difficult academic challenges.
Q How do you balance a teacher?s professionalism with parental concerns?
A You have to listen to both sides [of a problem] and come up with a win-win solution. The bottom line is, we?re all here for each child. Parents know their child better than anyone, but teachers bring in a new perspective of how children work in a large group. What are their strengths and weaknesses academically? It?s really just a matter of good communication from both sides.
