New AHS principal eager for school year

As students begin their first day of school at Apalachee High School in August, they will be joining first-time principal Jennifer Martin.

Martin says she is looking forward to the new role and wants the school year to be focused on student engagement. Additionally, she hopes to focus on improving students’ critical thinking skills.

“My immediate goals for next year surround student engagement and critical thinking,” she said. “Are students being asked to solve problems in class each day that are connected to the real world? Are students problem solving with one another and are teachers acting as facilitators and coaches rather than lecturers and content experts?”

Additional focus will be placed on the school “climate,” and ensuring students want to come to school.

“The climate and culture of a school is critical,” she said. “When teachers want to come to work each day, students want to come to learn. Working towards improving the climate and culture of a building takes a true focus and I want the building to be positive, welcoming, and exciting.”