Dr. Le Andrea Ware
Dr. Le Andrea Ware returned to her alma mater at the end of the 2017-2018 school year as interim principal to lead The Howard School through the remainder of the year and her love for the school and community led her to make the move permanent. Her love for The Howard School and innovation as an educational leader has resulted in her selection as the 2019-2020 principal of the year for Hamilton County Schools as she closes out her first year as the school’s leader.
Dr. Ware has a passion for exuding HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Excellence) and working to foster an environment of success for all students and teachers. She also believes in shared leadership and empowering students and teachers to engage in school leadership in creating positive change. “Four administrators alone will not transform Howard High School,” Ware said. “It definitely takes a collective effort from all!”
Changes at Howard High started early this school year and signaled the vision Dr. Ware had for the “Hustlin’ Tigers.” A back to school “Parade of Stars” led by Dr. Ware lined the parking lot and hallways of Howard to welcome all students back to school. The parade involved over 300 faculty members, staff, parents, community leaders, business volunteers, and school partners. The group marched under 1,000 stars hung in the school hallways that represented students and teachers and the great expectations for each this school year. Dr. Ware also hung a large banner in the school in an area she calls the Vision Wall that lists the goals of Howard becoming the fastest improving school in Tennessee and garnering a Level 5 composite growth score for the 2018-2019 school year. Those committed to this vision have signed the banner through the school year, and there are now over 1,000 signatures on the banner.
“Having worked for several principals in my 35 years, you are, without a doubt the most enthusiastic and energetic of them all,” said Timothy Davenport, a math teacher at The Howard School, in a message to Dr. Ware upon learning about her selection as principal of the year. “Your desire for student success and genuine love of each one is evident in your words and actions,” added Davenport.
Some of the Howard High innovative programs and strategies established under Dr. Ware’s leadership include:
Transition Academy: A customized non-traditional learning program for students with extenuating circumstances
Intermission vs. Suspension: Students are assigned to a smaller, intensified learning lab instead of short-term suspension
Saturday Success Academy- Extended and enriched Saturday learning labs for high school scholars
New Comer Center: One-year of intensified language acquisition support for non-English speaking students to build a strong English speaking foundation
Intensified Support Services: Combining the skills of behavior specialists and school counselors to provide customized support to help restore and rebuild student
Attendance Mentor Initiative: All faculty and staff members assigned as attendance mentors to help reverse chronic absenteeism trends of students.
Early results indicate progress at Howard. Benchmark results are positive for the 2018-2019 school goals of increased student achievement, reduced out-of-school suspensions, reduced behavioral infractions and reduced chronic absenteeism rates. Dr. Ware has also worked to provide a pathway for all students by enlisting the support of community partners to improve Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment opportunities, career technical courses, Future Ready Institutes, and a revitalized theatre program.
Dr. Ware will advance in the Tennessee principal of the year program in the search for the best principal in the state. Hamilton County Schools has had two winners of the state award in recent years with Robin Copp, former principal of Ooltewah High, earning the honor for 2017-2018; and Ronald Hughes, principal at Apison Elementary, taking the top honor in 2014-2015. Finalist for the state honor for this year will be selected by July with the winner announced in the fall.