Hunters Lane principal a symbol of longevity

Sue Kessler is a staple at Hunters Lane High School.

Having served eight years in the building, she can recall teaching the brothers or sisters of her current students. For a principal, Kessler believes longevity matters.

“We serve families, not just particular students,” she said.

Kessler is just one of the symbols of consistency in personnel Metro Nashville Public Schools is searching for in its schools. Research shows a strong leader can provide results for a school.

And a stable force in a school building builds community.

“Essentially, we have a small city here,” Kessler said. “And you don’t want it to be a bunch of anonymous experiences that changes every year.”

In Metro Schools, district officials said they are working toward building capacity in retaining strong leaders and teachers in the classroom.

The district has limited changes in high school leadership over the past three years, and officials said that has paid dividends in achievement score results.

And the district is working toward the goal of not changing over as many leaders in the elementary and middle school level, according to Jay Steele, chief academic officer.

Less change means a lot for teachers as well, Kessler said. She said most value a good leader.

Hunters Lane school culture surveys show teachers gravitate toward the leadership in the building. And strong leadership matters to the majority of the teachers in the district, according to districtwide data.

“Some people won’t be comfortable if they don’t believe in what a leader is about,” Kessler said. “And you definitely need parents to be comfortable with leadership in school, because they want to know what are the leader’s goals and priorities.

“When you truly understand the mission of the leader, you want to go on the journey that they are envisioning,” she said.

Reach Jason Gonzales at 615-259-8047 and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.