As his first year as a principal comes to a close, Dr. Matthew Mahony reflects on the past 12 months and his aspirations for the future.
Mahony’s main focus for this school year was making the transition from Associate Principal to Principal as seamless as possible.
“I worked really hard to make the transition as smooth as I could, and controlled what I can control,” Mahony said. “I worked on all of the preparation for the transition, and responded to the new questions and new situations.”
Mahony doesn’t believe in challenges. Instead, he sees them as opportunities.
“My goal is to do my job as best as I can everyday,” Mahony said. “I focus on how I am doing in my job today, and how I can do better.”
Before planning out the next academic year, Mahony first looks back over the successes and obstacles from the current year.
“Before planning out the next school year, I first have to reflect on what we did the previous year,” Mahony said. “What went well, what didn’t go well and what we can do better for the next year.”
Mahony’s plans for next year are centered around the growing student population size and continuing the positive momentum.
“I am planning for the growth and how to stay ahead of it the best that we can,” Mahony said. “The administration is given data by the Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) for an estimated population in five years. We use this data to assist with staffing, bond projects and logistics of the building.”
As well as being the principal, Mahony also has the job of managing the construction.
“We are adding 40 extra classes, a freshman wing and an additional cafeteria,” Mahony said. “We are also creating a covered outdoor walkway for freshmen to walk to athletics and fine arts without going on main street. We want to make the school and hallways as accessible as possible.”
Stepping into the new role, the biggest surprise for Mahony was interacting with even more students and staff.
“Even though I’ve been here for six years, I was able to interact with more people than I did in the past,” Mahony said. “I enjoy talking and meeting new people, but it definitely surprised me.”
Mahony believes his strengths that assist him as a principal are asking questions, organization and handling stressful situations.
“I definitely ask a lot of questions,” Mahony said. “I want to know how and why things work, and if they don’t work how we can change them. I handle stress well and work well together with other people. It helps to be a people person.”
Connecting with students, staff and families requires Mahony to be present.
“Being anywhere, everywhere that I can is the best way to support,” Mahony said. “In hallways, at football games, concerts, performances. I try to never be in my office at all, and learn all of the facets of students, staff and their families. Being at events is the best way to do that.”
Mahony will always remember his first graduating class, the class of 2024, very fondly.
“The seniors and I went through a lot together,” Mahony said. “We got through the entirety of COVID together and all of the changes that came with the pandemic. The coolest part of the job is to see the students grow and figure out who they are. It’s really exciting to see who the seniors become when they graduate.”
