Hanna Pioneers Further Administrative Success
New Assistant Principal of Student Services brings experience and positivity to students and staff
By Emily Guerra and Natalie Sarsfield
New Assistant Principal of Student Services brings experience and positivity to students and staff
By Emily Guerra and Natalie Sarsfield
With the fresh school year comes a new Assistant Principal of Student Services, ready to bridge the gap between students and administration and strengthen the sense of community on campus.
Already bringing an abundance of change, Amy Hanna is off to an exciting start in her administrative role.
After 23 years of teaching in the classroom, Hanna found herself ready to try a new position, still within the vast world of education. As the Assistant Principal of Student Services, Hanna handles 504s and student support teams on top of helping Assistant Principal of Guidance Elizabeth Brush with Advanced Placement and SAT testing.
“It has been great to have another person to help with the workload. She’s been concentrating on the 504s and I’ve been concentrating on the IEPs,” said Brush. “We’re going to do testing together so it’ll be great to have another set of hands to make the process easier this year.”
Hanna has found herself thrilled to take on any and every aspect of her new role while navigating the transition from a teacher to an administrator, which was far from an easy decision.
“This is my first year as an administrator. I thought about this for almost 12 years, but I wasn’t ready to leave the classroom. About three years ago, I said it’s time. I need to do something that challenges me,” said Hanna.
Assistant Principal of Guidance Brendan Simon says that Hanna has been able to step in and help further administrative programs while building connections with staff.
“She’s been focusing on relationships, so in general I think it’s pretty positive with needing another outlet for staff,” said Simon. “She’s also in charge of SSTs. SST is a student success team, so you meet teachers, Ms. Hanna, and the parents and they talk about what their strengths are, and what we can do if they’re struggling in the classes. It’s kind of a process that we weren’t really utilizing as much before so it’s really helpful for support for students that need specific help.”
Though Hanna loved teaching in the classroom, she has found other opportunities to still further interact with the student body throughout the day.
“I definitely like working with the students. I got to substitute in a senior English class, I love being able to fill in and do that. A lot of administrators hate substituting, but I taught for so long,” said Hanna. “Believe it or not, I loved doing lunch detention a couple times and I just loved being out at brunch and lunch, talking with the students.”
Principal Herbert Espiritu was elated to add Hanna to the administration team, an opportunity provided by increased funding from the district.
“Pioneer was fortunate enough to receive additional administration funding from our district to support our growing enrollment, additional staff and student services,” said Espiritu. “Hanna is specifically in charge of student services and 504 accommodations.”
Hanna was drawn to this school for its diversity among students, a representation of the real world and its inhabitants, which prepares students for experiences and situations they will face in the real world.
“I wanted an urban school district again, because I had been working on the peninsula in a small district. I wanted a cross-section of America and that’s what I love about Pioneer,” said Hanna. “There’s all different kinds of kids, this school represents the real world and what you are going to encounter when you graduate.”
Overall, the staff is thrilled by Hanna’s contributions to the school that also align with Espirutu’s expectations of what a valuable employee means.
“She brings a positive new perspective that is welcomed by our leadership team and staff,” said Espiritu. “She’s been a great addition. Hardworking and willing to learn from all of our stakeholders about what makes Pioneer an awesome school.”
Already bringing an abundance of change, Amy Hanna is off to an exciting start in her administrative role.
After 23 years of teaching in the classroom, Hanna found herself ready to try a new position, still within the vast world of education. As the Assistant Principal of Student Services, Hanna handles 504s and student support teams on top of helping Assistant Principal of Guidance Elizabeth Brush with Advanced Placement and SAT testing.
“It has been great to have another person to help with the workload. She’s been concentrating on the 504s and I’ve been concentrating on the IEPs,” said Brush. “We’re going to do testing together so it’ll be great to have another set of hands to make the process easier this year.”
Hanna has found herself thrilled to take on any and every aspect of her new role while navigating the transition from a teacher to an administrator, which was far from an easy decision.
“This is my first year as an administrator. I thought about this for almost 12 years, but I wasn’t ready to leave the classroom. About three years ago, I said it’s time. I need to do something that challenges me,” said Hanna.
Assistant Principal of Guidance Brendan Simon says that Hanna has been able to step in and help further administrative programs while building connections with staff.
“She’s been focusing on relationships, so in general I think it’s pretty positive with needing another outlet for staff,” said Simon. “She’s also in charge of SSTs. SST is a student success team, so you meet teachers, Ms. Hanna, and the parents and they talk about what their strengths are, and what we can do if they’re struggling in the classes. It’s kind of a process that we weren’t really utilizing as much before so it’s really helpful for support for students that need specific help.”
Though Hanna loved teaching in the classroom, she has found other opportunities to still further interact with the student body throughout the day.
“I definitely like working with the students. I got to substitute in a senior English class, I love being able to fill in and do that. A lot of administrators hate substituting, but I taught for so long,” said Hanna. “Believe it or not, I loved doing lunch detention a couple times and I just loved being out at brunch and lunch, talking with the students.”
Principal Herbert Espiritu was elated to add Hanna to the administration team, an opportunity provided by increased funding from the district.
“Pioneer was fortunate enough to receive additional administration funding from our district to support our growing enrollment, additional staff and student services,” said Espiritu. “Hanna is specifically in charge of student services and 504 accommodations.”
Hanna was drawn to this school for its diversity among students, a representation of the real world and its inhabitants, which prepares students for experiences and situations they will face in the real world.
“I wanted an urban school district again, because I had been working on the peninsula in a small district. I wanted a cross-section of America and that’s what I love about Pioneer,” said Hanna. “There’s all different kinds of kids, this school represents the real world and what you are going to encounter when you graduate.”
Overall, the staff is thrilled by Hanna’s contributions to the school that also align with Espirutu’s expectations of what a valuable employee means.
“She brings a positive new perspective that is welcomed by our leadership team and staff,” said Espiritu. “She’s been a great addition. Hardworking and willing to learn from all of our stakeholders about what makes Pioneer an awesome school.”