Principal's Page
Message from the PrincipalGreetings Parents of MGHS Students: I was very excited to accept the position of MGHS Principal at the conclusion of the interview process in May. That process revealed many facets of the school and district that fed my enthusiasm: a commitment to building meaningful relationships with all students; a willingness to examine structures and experiences with an equity lens, have uncomfortable conversations, and take courageous action steps toward accelerating student outcomes and closing gaps; an understanding of how valuable collaborative structures are for teachers to do their best work; a sense of ownership and pride in our school community. If I had to identify a common thread throughout the interview process and the beginning stages of my entry plan, it is this. Growth Mindset. I have yet to meet a staff member, student or community member who does not believe we are, and should be, constantly striving to improve. Sure, I have already had conversations identifying opportunities for us to grow as school, but I must say, they are always in the spirit of- while we are not there yet, we will get there. We need to protect that mindset always as we partner to tackle challenges. As part of my entry plan I have met with key student groups, conducted exit interviews with seniors, and held a series of transition meetings with key MGHS and district staff. I have also conducted document reviews to gain a deeper understanding of our systems and structures, culture and climate, and teaching and learning. There is so much to be proud of here and important work to be done. It is an honor to be charged with leading that work and moving MGHS forward. My path to Monona Grove includes several stops as school leader. I served as an assistant principal at Portage High School for three years, at Madison La Follette High School for one year, and I just finished my sixteenth year at Madison West. I also served as the principal at Marshall High School for three years. These experiences have afforded me the opportunity to work with and learn from many outstanding teachers, teams, and colleagues. Each had unique strengths, and I was able to partner with them and work collaboratively to improve overall student outcomes, and importantly, create more equitable outcomes. Our partnership will be a critical component of your student’s success, and frankly the success of all of our students. I look forward to it. Sincerely, Mitch McGrath Read more about Monona Grove High School. |
