Written by Maggie Guba |
Photos by Maggie Guba |
2019 at Morgan has been a year of many changes. One major change has been our assistant principal. In October, former Assistant Principal Tyler Webb left Morgan to pursue a position at Wethersfield High School. Mr. Webb’s exit left an open position for a new assistant principal.
The answer to the call… Science Instructor and Department Chair of Science and Social Studies Departments Christopher Luther. Mr. Luther was recommended by a diverse selection committee and underwent an in-depth process to be officially selected. The official decision was made on November 4 by the Board of Education.
In order to become an assistant principal, Mr. Luther completed a two-year program, known as an 092. The 092 refers to the state of Connecticut’s Intermediate Administrator Certification. According to Principal, Keri Hagness, “there is always a listing posted about any available position at Morgan, and anyone who’s either part of the Morgan community or not has the ability to apply for the job.”
After the initial application, letters of recommendation, paperwork, a resume, applicants participated in three rounds of interviews. Eventually, the pool of candidates was between one other candidate and Mr. Luther, who ultimately was selected.
Mrs. Hagness explained that she, “would consider Mr. Luther one of my go-to people.” She said, “When I needed something whether he was busy or not, he was always open to talking with me on topics like what to do for Professional Development.” She acknowledged that “his leadership was always something that showed.”
English Teacher Paul Serenbetz, has been at Morgan long enough to have seen assistant principals come and go. Mr. Serenbetz is “glad he [Mr. Luther] is going to stay in the system. He got his own 092 to become assistant principal and he could’ve it anywhere so I am glad he is not leaving Morgan, really glad.”
The one downside to Mr. Luther becoming assistant principal is the loss of him as a teacher. He described being in the classroom as, “when you’re in a class with your students you kind of have almost like a family dynamic. You have your ups and your downs, which connect you together in a way because it is a consistent relationship over the course of 183 days.”
Junior, AP Biology student Callie Andrews said, “I think it’s great for him but sad for the AP Biology students who will be losing their teacher later on in the year.”
Spanish teacher and Department Chair of World Languages Laura Luther, wife to Mr. Luther, said that she is, “very excited for him to start this new adventure.” She knows “he will be a tremendous asset to the faculty and staff at the school.”
Although this may be new territory for Mr. Luther, he is very excited and hopes, “to have a big, positive impact on the school and the school community.”
Mr. Luther ultimately decided to pursue this position after seeing that he was able to help in the science department as an instructional leader by providing support for students and teachers. As an administrator, he is able to make a bigger impact because by helping many teachers, he is impacting all of their many students.
Mr. Luther will be shadowing Acting Assistant Principal Cindy Schneider next Tuesday, December 17. He will officially assume his new role as assistant principal on January 2, 2020.