Reception For New Jeff Principal

Parents and neighbors are invited to a public reception for Mr. Maa, the new Principal at Jefferson Jr. High, at Westminster Church, 400 I (Eye) St. SW, 7:30 pm Wed. July 27.

Mr. Maa served at Jefferson as Eight Grade Administrator during the 2003-2004 school year. He then served as resident principal at Hardy Middle School in NW D.C. under the New Leaders for New Shools program.

He is a graduate of Syracuse University and has a Masters of Professional Studies in African-American Studies from Cornell University. He has taught middle school social studies and served as a middle and junior high school administrator in Houston, Texas, and the Bronx, New York. (The Southwester, Aug 2005)

There's sunshine after the storm; there goes the cliche, but I believe that's actually what's going to happen to my school, Jefferson Junior High School SW Washington DC. Remember my entry "The Real Score" where I blogged about how my school is getting popular in a negative way? Well, we are hoping for a new beginning this coming school year, as we welcome our new principal.

I was here in his welcome ceremony last night, with two other Pinoy teachers from DC Public Schools. Their children just came in from the Philippines and will be enrolling at Jeff this coming school year. I wanted them to meet the teachers, school personnel, and of course, my new principal.

We walked in the church quietly, a lot of people were there and guess what? We were already LATE, the program was already starting. The principal before last year was there, she greeted me and I told her how much we missed her last year. She said "I am glad you're still there", I replied "yes, I persisted!"

And just when I finally sat dow to rest my butt on the bench, the emcee called my name to give a few words of welcome to my principal. Man! That was unexpected! Here's my brief welcome speech to my incoming beloved principal:

"I was surprised, because I just came in! (laughs from the audience) I am Maria Angala, new teacher at Jefferson Jr HS, this is going to be my 3rd year as a special ed teacher there. I couldn't forget when I was a brand new teacher and Mr. Maa was our 8th grade administrator. I badly needed my supervisor to sign my recommendation letter when I was applying to the Summer Institute at Howard University. Ms. Holmes, the principal during that time was too busy. Then here came Mr. Maa in the hallway doing his rounds. I ambushed him for his signature...

'Mr. Maa please help me, I need a supervisor to sign this'

Without questions, no if's no but's, he signed my paper. And I want to let all of you know how that signature changed my life as a teacher and as a person. I am now a Teacher Consultant to the DC Area Writing Project and their newly appointed Technology Liaison. And that is because of Mr. Maa's signature. I welcome him back to Jefferson Junior HS and I believe he will be a great leader".