Ann Fountain: Taking on the Role of Principal

Ann Fountain has been a part of the Galloway community for 12 years. They are a parent to two members of the Galloway Class of 2032 as well as a member of the faculty.  Though they may have had many different positions over the years, this year has been unlike any other. In the beginning of the school year, Ann transitioned from College Counselor to Assistant Principal, but an unexpected tragedy in the community resulted in their second move of the year, from Assistant Principal to Acting Principal. 

Sam: So, you’ve had to go through a big change recently. How has it been assuming this new role of Acting Principal halfway through the school year?

Ann: It’s been like drinking water from a fire hose, you know? It’s been a lot to take on and it’s more than anyone would have anticipated. You’re helping a community move through the stages of grief in addition to keeping the school running on a day-to-day basis and all that entails. It feels like such an honor to be honoring Ms. McCrary’s legacy. It fuels me in extraordinary ways. I wouldn’t have wished this on anyone and I certainly didn’t have it on my bingo card for this year, but with all that said, it’s been a really beautiful thing to do this work for a community I love so dearly.

With all of the recent changes to the Galloway community, from the loss of faculty and the dilemma of the building situation, rebuilding Galloway seems to be the key mission of the moment. Over Thanksgiving break, the walls really came down, literally.

Sam: I obviously don't know the full story about your office. I know that it is a bit different now, with the wall torn down. How are you feeling about all of that? And moving into this new space with Dr. Russell. 

Ann: I want to put aside the piece about timing. There were conversations, it wasn’t like a surprise when I walked in and saw it for the first time. Also, we have gotten constant requests for a quiet space. On this campus, it’s a serious need. It became really clear that we had an opportunity to give a lot of people something that they have been desperate for. And it was easy to make it happen because it was already a safe, sacred space because of the nature of who had occupied it before. Because of the history of the space, I knew it was possible for us to make that transition. I think all of us were surprised because it was difficult. It’s deeply upsetting to lose a person and to have this massive change. And physical space matters. It wouldn’t have been right for me to stay in that space this year. It’s funky because I’m sharing this space here but I’m happy to do it, Dr. Russell’s happy to do it. We love working together, and it centers the greater needs of the school, so it feels like a big win. So, you know, I’m glad. Not that any of this happened but I’m grateful that we were able to find what I hope feels like a win for a lot of people. Behind the scenes we spent a lot of time over the summer trying to figure out who was gonna go where and what space, so one of my goals was to not disrupt any of that hard work because it might’ve created a domino effect of everyone moving. That would not have been healthy, nor feasible, for anyone. We had a school to come back to. 

But despite the move out of the Principal/Assistant Principal office, Ann still has to fulfill the duties that come with both positions as Galloway has yet to appoint a new Assistant Principal now that Ann is Acting Principal. 

Sam: And on the topic of having a school to come back to and run, I assume, you’re now taking on some of the responsibilities of principal where you already had the vice principal responsibilities. Have you been able to delegate certain things like taking on more of the principal duties and having others take some of the vice principal ones?

Ann: Yes. I don’t think it’s helpful to get into the specifics. But I’ve delegated a lot. In particular, a lot of projects. Because my role right now is to be the acting principal, right? And so, for the health of the community, I have to be able to do the principal things. So anything that’s a project that doesn’t require the sort of leadership, the vision, or the care and love and attention of a principal, that needs to be delegated. Having the big job of principal is having important conversations with all different people. Sometimes the only person who can have that difficult conversation is a principal, and I want to, need to, be available to have those conversations. Also, we’re still a K to 12 school, so I need to be able to collaborate with other principals. As someone who just stepped into this role, I need to lean on our school leadership in general. So having the time and space to collaborate with people is really, really important.

Leadership in The Galloway School is also changing a lot this year, as our Head of School, Dr. James Calleroz White, and Director of Admissions, James Foreman, leave us at the end of May for new and exciting opportunities. The next generation of Galloway students wonder how their new school leaders will be chosen. 

Sam: So in leaning on other school leadership, are you participating in the search for new teachers, new head of school, new principal, or vice principal?

Ann: I’m getting lots of updates. What I can’t really say anything about is the principal search, because I suspect they’re still finalizing the details of that. And we’ve identified a search firm that is a good fit for Galloway philosophically and the board is working to finalize what exactly they want. You want to get this right because it impacts the long-term life of the school, so it’s really important for us to be able to articulate who we are as a school, what we want, and we’re always working on articulating that. But it’s important to not proceed too quickly. In terms of hiring, we had a teacher depart midyear, so as acting principal I’m leading the search for a new math teacher. We’re in a really strong position in terms of faculties’ plans to return to Galloway next year, so I’m not hiring for anything else which is amazing. It’s not a given and I definitely don’t take it for granted because it doesn’t happen every year. 

In finding new faculty and staff for the next school year, Galloway focuses heavily on their mission statement of creating students that “confidently embrace challenges while developing the knowledge, skills, and cultural competence to thrive as enlightened contributors in their chosen pathways” in “a community where learning is joyful, individuals are valued, and self-discovery is encouraged.” Ann states that this mission statement is integral to their process as acting principal. 

Sam: And then, to end, what has your Galloway experience taught you? Especially through the mission statement? 

Ann: I have learned at Galloway, that who you surround yourself with, the choice you make about the communities that you move in, is more important than anything else in the world. I never want to compromise on school culture. I want to be in a community that aligns with my values, and for me, being here almost twelve years, that value of community really becomes family. My North Star is our mission statement. We want you all to be able to graduate as enlightened citizens of the world, people who can be mindful about your place in the world, find the value in what you do, and march to the beat of your own drums. To be caring and sensitive global citizens who are bold enough to act. If we can do that here at Galloway, then our students can graduate as people who know themselves and know the world. If we can make that our North Star now, then maybe you can keep it as yours once you graduate.  

At the end of the day, all Ann Fountain wants is the best for the Galloway community, and although it’s been a challenging year for all, they are focused on making sure Galloway continues to produce sensitive, caring, kind, and knowledgeable individuals ready to make a change in the world. Ms. McCrary would be proud.