|
ALBANY – Maxine Fantroy-Ford, an Albany High School graduate who has
spent the last two decades in leadership roles in the school district,
was named principal of her alma mater by the Board of Education on
Tuesday.
Ms. Ford has served as
interim principal at Albany High School since August 2006. Prior to
that, she spent nine years as the principal at Giffen Memorial
Elementary School, where she is credited with leading the schools’
turnaround from a low performing school to one named “most improved” by
the New York State Education Department in 2003.
“I am proud to announce
this appointment and excited about the leadership that Principal Ford
brings to the high school,” Superintendent Eva Joseph said. “In her 30
years with the district, she has a long history of service and
achievement, but most importantly she has always put students first. It
takes strong leadership to move a school forward. That is exactly what
Ms. Ford has and forward is exactly where Albany High School is going.”
“The Board
of Education is honored to have Ms. Ford serve as the principal of
Albany High School,” Board President Teneka Frost said. “She is a
veteran educator and administrator who has the passion and vision to
lead Albany High School into an era when high expectations and high
levels of achievement are realized and sustained for all students.”
The appointment comes at
a time when the district has ambitious goals for Albany High School,
including a 100 percent, 4-year graduation rate.
“I’m excited about the
opportunity to move Albany High School from good to great to excellent,”
Principal Ford said. “I will continue to collaborate with district
administrators, teachers, staff, parents and the community to motivate
students to embrace their education and take responsibility for it.”
Ms. Ford joined the
district in 1977 as an art teacher at Arbor Hill Elementary Community
School. She earned her M.S. in Educational Administration, and was
appointed principal of Giffen in 1983. In 1990, she became Magnet
Schools Director, and oversaw the opening of the district’s four Magnet
programs, which have been recognized by both the state and federal
governments for their achievements.
In 1997, Ms. Ford
requested a return to Giffen. Upon returning to the school, she
established high standards for students, teachers and parents, rallying
the school community around the goal of increased student performance.
Her leadership paid off: test scores increased, afterschool programming
grew, and home, community and school relationships strengthened through
initiatives such as the school’s Family Resource Center. Under Principal
Ford, Giffen’s motto became, “We are on the move.”
Ms. Ford said that she
looks forward to implementing smaller learning communities at Albany
High School, and focusing on the opportunities and instruction students
need to be successful in the 21st Century.
“Students’ experiences
should be based on the three R’s – rigor, relevance and relationships,”
Principal Ford said. “Our obligation as educators is to prepare students
to navigate the global competition that they will face in the future,
whether they choose the military, the workforce or higher education. In
order for us to meet our obligation, I will work closely with the entire
school community to make sure we build personal relationships with each
of the more than 2,400 students who attend Albany High School. This is
what will help Albany High School become the high performing school we
know it can be.”
|
