Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT —
Chad Norman, principal of Fairmont Senior High School, believes that one of the most important aspects of being in his position is loving the students under his guidance.
He says “you have to love to work with kids. And I do love working with them, spending time with them, helping to mold and shape them.”
Norman, a 1984 graduate of Fairmont Senior High School, has been selected as West Virginia’s Principal of the Year — an outstanding honor indeed.
Some senior educators, now retired, had foreseen bigger things for Norman years ago as he was embarking on his teaching career in Marion County.
Norman believes in more after-school programs for his kids. “Research has found that kids involved in after-school programs are better students. They manage their time better and have less opportunity to get involved in things that they shouldn’t.”
Norman also believes that students have changed considerably over the years.
“I think they are more career oriented,” he said. “They focus more on their education and are under more stress with standardized testing. I think they have countered many changes ... mastering content standards, and I think technology has made education better for students but it also has presented some hurdles in dealing with their social lives.”
He is glad to see more classes being offered, as well as more opportunities for scholarships and more athletic programs.
Norman has had some excellent mentors — probably the best, and his favorite, being former East Dale principal Janet Crescenzi. “She was the national principal of the year at one time. What an inspiration to me, who served under her, and how she stood up for her kids and her teachers. I’ve tried to operate in the same vein. Teachers are the most important things in our schools. ... Janet was my mentor and she still is.”
He admits he never really thought about winning such an award as he is being honored for now. “But there has been a tradition of strong school leaders here, beginning with John Tennant and Bill Furguson. They both had strong leadership qualities. But I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to represent my alma mater and my community as the State Principal of the Year. This means a lot to me.”
Fairmont Senior High School is most fortunate in having Chad Norman as its principal — the State Principal of the Year. The Marion County community is fortunate as well. It is hoped that he might serve as a role model in the future for young Marion County educators as leaders such as Janet Crescenzi served for him in the past.
