CHARLOTTESVILLE — Eastern Hancock schools has hired a new assistant principal for its elementary school: Marcus Redick, who currently serves as the school’s instructional coach, dyslexia specialist and Title 1 coordinator.
The school board approved the hire of Redick for the new position at a special board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Eastern Hancock Superintendent Dave Pfaff said Redick’s work ethic and communication skills are two of the major things that recommended him for the job, as well as his dedication to the school corporation.
“I’ve been very fond of him since I met him,” Pfaff said. “He has tremendous people skills; he’s very good with kids and parents and staff.”
Redick, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Butler University, has 14 years of experience in elementary education. After teaching kindergarten and second grade, he applied for his current position at Eastern Hancock, where he helps students who are struggling find the right interventions to catch up with their grade level.
“It was the right fit for me, being able to still interact with students on a daily basis,” he said.
Redick obtained credentials as an administrator, but said he wasn’t ready to move on from his position until the opportunity came up to apply for an administrative position within Eastern Hancock.
A panel of elementary school teachers was part of the vetting process, interviewing six candidates for the position. Redick was the only internal candidate who applied.
In the position, Redick will keep some of his former duties in assisting students in need. The job will also incorporate a mix of traditional principals’ office responsibilities like helping with student discipline, supervision of teachers, and communication with parents, as well as some that were handled by the corporation’s director of technology. Trisha Armstrong, who held that position, resigned this summer.
“He’s got a mix of three different duty sources,” Pfaff said.
The corporation will be looking to hire someone to take on Redick’s duties as its Title 1 coordinator.
Elementary school Principal Amanda Pyle said Redick has built relationships within the Eastern Hancock community that will make him a good fit for the role.
“He brings a lot of positive energy to the building. The kids love having him around,” Pyle said.
Pyle said she expects adjustments as she and Redick figure out the division of labor between their two jobs, but she is hoping the addition of an assistant principal to the staff will allow her to spend more time outside her office and be more visible to students and staff.
Redick said he thinks Eastern Hancock is a standout corporation in the region, especially when compared with similar schools with small student populations. As assistant principal, he said, he wants to assist with “providing as many opportunities as we can to the students and the families that walk through the door.”
He also helps to utilize community members’ experience to help introduce students to career paths, including both those that require and do not require a college degree.
“I’m looking forward to staying in the EH family for as long as they will have me,” Redick said.