Leading Lions

Moore High School principals Rachel Stark and Mike Coyle talk about the transition in leadership

BY:Chelsey Kraft

In 2012, Rachel Stark received a phone call from her longtime mentor, Mike Coyle, asking her to join Moore High School’s administrative staff as an assistant principal. For Stark, that move was returning home.

Now, Stark is set to become the school’s first female head principal starting with the 2021-22 school year following the retirement of Coyle, who has been in the role since 2002. She admits that while it is a great feeling, she did not realize how big of a moment it would be, especially because she worked with female head principals at her previous two schools.

“I just look at it as I love this school, and I’ve worked really hard with my team and with the teachers and Mr. Coyle, of course, as my mentor, to get this position,” Stark said. “They (Superintendent Dr. Robert Romines and Assistant Superintendent David Peak) know I love this place and that I’m going to do my best for our students, which is what I’ve maintained forever. We always do what’s best for kids.”

The fact she is the first female in the role for Moore High School also highlights the stability in the district in terms of the positions not being open often.

“Our principals are long-term head principals,” Stark said. “You don’t get a head principal in here for two or three years who then leaves … Our head principals like Mr. Coyle are long term, and that says a lot about our district and how great it is. I’m honored to be chosen and to work with our staff and my team.”

Stark said she is very thankful for the guidance and leadership Coyle has provided at Moore High School and throughout the district.

“I’m just taking advantage of all the time that he is going to be here to learn what even more that I need to learn,” she said. “He’s been great at letting me implement programs and initiatives, and he has taught me the right ways to do that in ... Honestly, the other two head principals at the other two high schools, I know they call him a lot, and I know he’s been somewhat of a mentor to them as well. Mr. Coyle, it’s going to be very difficult to let go.”

A 1988 Moore High School graduate, Stark started teaching English at Brink Junior High in 1998, where she was hired by then-principal Coyle. She joined the high school staff in 2000, working there until 2006, before deciding to move into administration. Stark spent two years as an assistant principal at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City and four years at Edmond North High School before she returned to Moore.

When Stark began looking for administration positions, Coyle was supportive throughout the process, mock interviewing her and looking over her resume.

“He really was an integral part of me being an administrator,” Stark explained. “He’s been with me my whole career and honestly led me to this point. If it weren’t for Mr. Coyle, I probably wouldn’t be prepared for this next step, prepared to be head principal of Moore High School. It’s an honor for me to follow him.”

Stark said she is fortunate to be part of a cohesive team and to have colleagues with whom she has a great relationship. Coming out of two challenging years for the school and community, one of Stark’s goals is to refocus on a couple of initiatives - ACT preparation and a literacy initiative - that have not received as much focus in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stark also wants to rebuild school pride and relationships with staff and students, which have also been impacted as some students are learning from home and social distancing guidelines have prevented close interactions.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but of course we’re going to overcome it like we do,” Stark shared. “That’s what we’re going to really hit the ground running with is the relationship building training, and we’re really going to start off even before school working on that … We want our Lions back. We want them back in the classroom, and we’re excited to have them back.”

As for Coyle, he has no doubt that Stark is going to do great in the role and that there are “nothing but great things ahead” for Moore High School.

“In working these 10 years together, the successes that we have had at Moore High School, and if I may say, respectfully and modestly, we’ve had several, but these successes we’ve had, she’s been intricately involved with them,” Coyle said. “If you know schools or know about them, you know nothing in schools happens in a vacuum. It is everybody working together, working toward the same thing. Rachel knows that so very well. That is why she’s such an ideal choice for the new principal at MHS beginning next year.

“She’s incredibly high energy, and she’s very, very bright,” Coyle continued. “She understands the standards and expectations of high-performing schools, and just as she has done these 10 years, she is going to build upon what we have together and the entire faculty together have built thus far, and she’s going to continue to develop it and build upon the excellence. Importantly, she’s got her own vision as well … She is passionate and loves this place. She will take it to even greater heights.” -19SM