Shorewood’s own Amanda Jamerson won the Wisconsin Associate Principal of The Year award late November, accompanied by a surprise assembly at the high school. Out of the entire state, Jamerson was recognized for various improvements she helped lead throughout the year as well as support from the community.
“They look at a combination of [my] school data projects that I’ve worked on at the school level,” Jamerson said. “Then there’s also a component of student, parent, and staff feedback. Once they combined all of those things…they selected me.”
For Jamerson, the award meant more than just a title; it meant recognition for all of the work she puts into the SHS community. However, making a difference, she says, is more important than awards.
“Everything I do is not for recognition, it is just to make a difference.” Jamerson said. “A lot of times people don’t see the grind and the hustle that [Associate Principal] does. So many nights I’m here at eight or nine o’clock by myself. I’m just looking at data. I’m thinking about systems. I’m thinking about all the things. I literally pour my heart and soul into my work. So, it was really cool just to be recognized for something that I feel like is my gift. It’s what I’ve been put on this earth to do.”
Jamerson’s work ethic and impact on Shorewood schools isn’t only realized by this award, but also by her colleagues and students.
“She’s a great teammate, that’s for sure,” said Tim Kenney, principal. “She leads with kindness…[and] she cares about people. If somebody is doing something that is going to be moving them away from being successful, she’s going to check them and bring them back. It always comes from a place of kindness and empathy and compassion, but firmness.”
Jamerson reflected the same sentiment, emphasizing that this experience was valuable in showing how her relationships with students and the community have evolved and strengthened.
“When I started off in my role, I was just known as a disciplinarian, but I’m really a goofy person…I love to have fun, I love to laugh,” Jamerson said. “It’s always interesting to me when students get to see that side of me. [When I was] crying on stage, I had so many students like, ‘Oh my goodness, you cry.’ I was like, ‘I’m a normal person.’ I feel like now being in Shorewood for five years, students are now getting to see, ‘Oh, she’s super cool.’”
When the news of Jamerson’s accomplishment reached the school, the office was left with one week to plan the event to reveal her award. However, planning something small was out of the question; her colleagues wanted to create an unforgettable experience.
“This is probably one of my biggest tasks that I’ve ever done as principal; keeping something a secret from Ms. Jamerson for a week,” Kenney said. “It was so hard to do because it was so exciting, knowing the award that she was about to win. It was a big deal.”
Planning this event was more complicated than it may seem. Hosted in the auditorium, many staff members worked together to devise a plan that would give supporters enough time to get there without being caught by Jamerson’s watchful eye.
On a typical Friday, Jamerson would have a meeting in the main office with the Student Support Team. However, that conference room is full of windows that would have spoiled the surprise, so Kenney needed to find a fool-proof way of keeping her unaware of the forming crowd.
“I booked the conference room in the office,” Kenney said. “I told her I was going to need it for a scholarship-related meeting, which I do on a regular basis, so that’s not out of the ordinary.… so then we moved [her meeting] to Student Support Services. The conference room in Student Support Services doesn’t have any windows. That’s where they had to meet because Ms. Norris and Mr. Brown’s offices were conveniently being used by students… I actually even stationed Mr. Natasha outside of student support, so that if for some reason she tried to come out during that time, he had some made-up student emergency that he had to talk to her about right then and there.”
While Molly Norris and Scott Brown, counselors, played their part in the diversion, Kenney, students, and staff walked from their second hour classes to the theater, where representatives from the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators were ready to deliver the award.
Finally, when all was ready, Kenney used his walkie-talkie to inform Jamerson her presence was necessary in the auditorium to handle a ‘student matter’.
“I actually slipped coming in because I was so caught off guard,” Jamerson said. “I was like, what is happening? Why are the kids quiet?”
Part of what made this surprise so impactful were all the visitors who came to the school to support Jamerson. Largely coordinated by Jess McCabe, administrative assistant, people from numerous parts of Jamerson’s life, including sorority sisters, old coworkers, mentors, and even her family via Facetime, were summoned to celebrate this big moment.
“I was blown away,” Jamerson said. “It was really amazing to have all those people there [and] all the amazing kids.”
Utilizing the monetary funds from this recognition, Jamerson has investigated ways to improve the school’s technological infrastructure, ultimately in hopes of supporting the students’ educational experience.
“I’m excited because I can get another [pass] system,” Jamerson said. “One of the things I’m working towards right now is where students will be able to just come in and, if they’re running late and they need a pass, they’ll automatically be able to go to a kiosk [using] either their school ID or by scanning the barcode within Infinite Campus, and then they’ll be able to head to class…and I’m super excited for that because [it] is going to help.”