What Dinosaur Would You Be?

“WHAT DINOSAUR WOULD YOU BE?

Patrick McHonett has become a very familiar presence for students in his first few months at Flint Hill, from fist bumps at morning arrival to dropin-ins during advisory and daily walk-throughs of each building.

But how much do our inquisitive Huskies really know about their new Head of School? Recently, Mr. McHonett sat down with Mrs. Smilowitz’ 3rd graders, Ms. Ingram’s 7th graders and Mr. Chang’s 10th graders for a trio of candid Q&A sessions. He fielded questions that reflected our students’ thoughtfulness, curiosity and imagination, including the 7th graders’ question, “What dinosaur would you be if you could be a dinosaur?”

MRS. SMILOWITZ’ 3RD GRADE CLASS

Did you want to be a head of school when you were young? Or, did you decide that when you were old?

Ha! It was definitely when I was an adult. When I was younger, I wanted to be an artist — specifically for comic books, which I loved and collected (still do!). It wasn’t until I was well into my career in schools that the idea of being a head of school came along. I have had great teachers, coaches and mentors who have encouraged me on this path, and I continue to love the opportunity to support schools, students and teachers in this role.

Did you ever get in trouble in elementary school?

Yes! I was an active child, and like some active children, I had trouble with boundaries, physicality and staying in my seat. At that age, it was hard for me to understand accountability. It’s important that kids are invited to reflect on the impact of their actions; discipline without accountability or reflection isn’t very helpful. I have really enjoyed seeing our teachers and counselors help the students here understand when something is unacceptable, and why, so that — ideally — it doesn’t become a repeated cycle.

MS. INGRAM’S 7TH GRADE ADVISORY

When have you failed and what have you learned from it?

That’s a great question. I fail every day at some things, whatever those may be. When I was a senior in college, I was the captain of the football team. We only won two games that year. We were the most talented 2 and 10 team ever, and it was hard feeling like we were doing our best without earning the wins to show for it. Looking back, I think of it as my most productive season because I learned so many lessons that I’ve applied as a parent, teacher, coach and as a head of school. In my opinion, if you’re able to learn from it, it’s not really a failure.

Who do you look up to and why?

I was lucky enough to have positive relationships with teachers and coaches while I was growing up, and those relationships really got me interested in education. There are these really fun opportunities for all of us to serve as mentors and mentees. When you were 6th graders last year, you set the tone as leaders in the Lower School. And now, here you are on a new campus getting to learn from the 8th graders. We expect our Upper School students to be mentors and leaders for all of the younger Huskies. Taking those opportunities to positively impact those who look up to you or learn something from someone you look up to is truly valuable.

What mindset do you have to achieve your goals?

Resilience and hard work. I’m the youngest of three and in appropriate ways — and sometimes inappropriate ways — my brother and sister picked on me a lot. I was very accustomed to getting knocked down and figuring out how to get back up. As an athlete, I was never the most skilled player on the field. I had to rely on outworking everyone to get my starting position or to best my opponent. That hard work and focus on effort over output, that really propelled me. It’s also important to zone in on exactly what your goal is. In my position as Head of School, I recognize that my job is to support all of our teachers and administrators so that they have minimal roadblocks to doing the great work that they do with all of you.

How do you feel about so many people looking up to you?

If I think of it as, there are 1,035 kids and 270 faculty and staff looking up to me, that’s a bit too much pressure and power. That’s why I really love the ethos here at Flint Hill that we’re all pulling the sled together, that we share the work and rely on one another to accomplish our goals as a team. But if you all are looking up to me, thank you, and I’m going to take that as a responsibility to continue to do my best.

MR. CHANG’S 10TH GRADE ADVISORY

What is your typical day like as Head of School?

That’s a good question. I don’t know if I’ve had a typical day yet. I started out this morning doing fist bumps at carpool, then did rounds through Lower School classrooms, then came over here for a quick meeting with the Parents’ Association president, then went back to the Lower School for a team meeting, then came back over here to be with you all. I’ll have three more meetings here, then over to the Middle School to pop in on classes. My focus this year is just to be as present as possible and available to listen. A typical day is that there is no typical day. It can get pretty busy but it’s always worthwhile because it’s in service to all of you, and I love it.

What thing are you most proud of since being Head of School?

There’s a lot that I’m excited to do but the thing that I’m most proud to have done so far is connecting

with our faculty and staff. One of my goals this year is to meet with every member of our faculty and staff and ask them what they like about Flint Hill and where they think we can improve. There are 270 employees and I’ve met with 139 so far. I’ve really enjoyed those conversations. I’ve learned a lot about who they are as people and where their desire for growth is. It’s a time-consuming experience but it’s been really neat.

What was the transition like for your family to move from California?

Thanks for asking; I really appreciate that question. It was a lot to pack up and move across the country. Saying goodbye to friends and family on the West Coast was challenging. Knowing what we were running towards here at Flint Hill was really helpful. I accepted the job last October so I had a lot of time to process the transition. I’ve been so grateful and pleased because my kids’ transition has been better than we could’ve hoped. They’ve got amazing teachers and great friends and that allows me to focus a little more on being the head of school.

Will sweatpants at school ever be allowed again?

I know there’s been thoughtful work put into the dress code policy and looking at that through a lens of equity and mutual support. I hate to punt this question, but that’s a student conversation with Mr. Paige and Mr. Chang. The pendulum at Flint Hill swung pretty rapidly from button-downs and khakis to anything goes, and that was really challenging for kids, parents and staff. Since then, the School’s goal has been to find an acceptable middle that balances student comfort and self-expression with the fact that we’re still helping you understand the importance of how you present yourself. I try to operate from the “yes, and” standpoint. I want to take it all the way through the yeses until there’s a compelling reason for the “no.” Sweatpants at school? That’s not a hill I’m gonna die on. If that’s important to you, share that with the “why,” and acknowledge your responsibility to always represent yourself and the School.