Dr. Cathy Sork has been principal at Dorothy Fox Elementary in Camas for 18 years. She’s grateful for the longevity and thinks it makes a difference in success for school administrators, teachers and students – yet, she says, the value of longevity is often overlooked, and one in four principals are at a school less than five years. “What principals do, and their commitment, makes a difference … with the right resources I feel like we can make a difference in the achievement of every kid in that school. And there’s a lot of research coming out that backs that up.”
One thing Sork is known for: Encouraging student leadership. Being recruited into student leadership while she was in school was a game-changer for Sork, leading her to eventually become a teacher and principal. Now, she encourages it at her own school, and remains personally involved at Dorothy Fox. “The best meeting I have all week is with the students.”
A big challenge facing schools? “We’re trying to add more things to the plate, but the plate is really full … sometimes things need to come off the plate.”
Her advice to state legislators? “I would advise every lawmaker to have a principal buddy,” who they can call as needed.
Other issues on the table during the interview: the recent school shooting in Georgia; the lasting impacts of COVID on students; the gap in readiness for kindergarten; more funding for special education, but also ever more need; the pressures of being a principal, and the need for mentoring relationships; absenteeism; reaching marginalized kids; recruiting a more diverse teaching staff; the emotional health of kids, the impacts of social media and the presence of cell phones; AI in the classroom; and more.