Editor’s Note:All photographs captured by Cat Boyce. Shawn Kornegay contributed to this piece.
Neag School alumna Megan Baker ’12 6th Year, a graduate of the UConn Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP), has served since 2015 as principal of Tourtellotte Memorial High School, a public high school in the Thompson (Conn.) school district with 251 students in Grades 9 to 12. Prior to that, Baker was curriculum director for pre-K to Grade 12 and part-time assistant principal at Tourtellotte. Baker is also a member of the Neag School Alumni Board.
In this special photo essay, photographer Cat Boyce shadowed Baker earlier this spring in order to offer a glimpse into a typical day in the life of Baker and her role in principalship.
6:20 a.m. — Principal Baker starts off her day, an hour before the school day officially begins. She spends the time reviewing emails, preparing for the day, and gathering with her team.
7 a.m. — Baker gathers with Donna O’Connell, the school’s administrative assistant, and Ian Polun, the school’s assistant principal, before the students arrive in the morning.
7:10 a.m. — On this particular day, Baker is being shadowed by Matt Agnello ’12 (ED), ’13 MA (far left), who is enrolled in an administrator preparation program and currently serves as an agriculture teacher at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, Conn. Baker introduces Agnello to Alex Rooney (center), a senior at Tourtellotte and a future Neag School student, before the school day starts.
7:15 a.m. — Baker greets one of the students with a high-five. She individually greets each student as they arrive, asking about their day.
7:45 a.m. — Agnello greets computer science teacher and UConn alumnus Tony Perreault ’85 (CLAS), before the morning lecture.
8 a.m. — Baker checks in with students in the class as part of her weekly teacher observations.
8:15 a.m. — Baker meets up with art teacher Bianca Prouty before observing her class and other classes during the day.
9 a.m. — Students in a modern music ensemble class practice for a community performance, led by UConn alumna Kate (Ouillette) Anderson ’01 (SFA) (right).
10:45 a.m. — Teacher Wendy Fusco (left), nominated student Connor Monahan (center) for a “Tiger Shout Out” for saving a life while lifeguarding at a local YMCA. Baker helps in recognizing Monahan.
10:50 a.m. — Monahan’s “Tiger Shout Out,” which appears on a schoolwide display board.
11 a.m. — Baker and student leader Matt Grauer discuss findings from a student leadership survey during the weekly leadership meeting in the school’s library.
11:30 a.m. — Baker shows Agnello a boat-building project, the first of its kind for the school.
1 p.m. — Baker checks in at the office and confirms her afternoon schedule.
1:10 p.m. — Baker meets with the Child Study Team to discuss each student and their individual attendance situation. (From left: Lisa Canney, school counselor; Ian Polun, assistant principal; Baker; Agnello; Shannon Grauer, school nurse; and Julie Maliff, school counselor)
2:15 p.m. — Robert Terrell, a junior at Tourtellotte, presents findings for a proposed drink policy to Baker and library specialist Cindy Ouillette ’97 (CLAS), ’98 MA, also a UConn alum. Per Baker’s recommendation, Terrell surveyed local administrators to help develop the proposed policy.
2:30 p.m. — Baker joins Alex Rooney and Rebecca Torres in making the end-of-day announcements over the school’s intercom system.
3 p.m. — At the end of the day, Baker says goodbye to each student as they leave on the school bus.
3:15 p.m. — Baker returns to her office to check email and discuss the day with Agnello.
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