New Leadership

New high school principals share their vision, goals for the 2021/2022 school year

Both Norman high schools start the new year under the leadership of new principals. Dr. Kim Garrett stepped into the role at Norman North High School after Dr. Kristi Gray was hired as the district’s director of gifted education and is Hallie Wright is now the principal at Norman High School.

After a year filled with uncertainty and transitions, both women said they are dedicated to creating an atmosphere where all students can succeed.

“I know that every year for a student is important, but I feel like the high school years have such an importance in opening doors to the rest of their lives,” Garrett shared. “These are their high school years and they don’t get to do those again. I want to give our students the memories and teach the skills they need to succeed, to be ready for the next journey in their life.”

Garrett said she is excited to be at Norman North and continue “the level of excellence that is part of the culture at North.”

“I am walking into a great school… a high achieving school with tremendous community support,” she said. “I want to take the time to see how my ideas can fit in with what the teachers are already doing and then work together to find those gaps we can build upon.”

Garrett aims spend her first year as principal getting to know the students and faculty and finding ways to continue to open doors of opportunity for all students.

Her first priority is to provide social and emotional support to not only students but teachers and parents as well.

“As we left last year, we were hoping we would turn a corner and see our normal as we knew it before,” Garrett said. “Last year so many things were new but this year we’ve been down this path and learned a lot.

“This year we’ve got to focus on the social and emotional part for our teachers, students and parents. Any time we go through an intense time of learning, it’s important to check in on those areas, to return to our basics, to our why.”

Garrett brings with her eight years of experience as a principal and 10 years as an educator. She taught a variety of ages from 6th grade to high school as an English teacher and most recently served as the director of high school academics for Broken Arrow Public Schools.

“Dr. Garrett has a wealth of experience,” Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino said. “Norman North carries a wellearned reputation as a high-achieving school and I am confident that Dr. Garrett’s background and judgment make her a perfect fit to not only continue that legacy but to build on it.”

This school year is a homecoming for Hallie Wright. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher in Norman Public Schools nearly thirty years ago.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Hallie back to Norman,” Migliorino said. “I can’t wait to see the things that will happen for our students and families under her leadership.”

Even though Wright worked in the Putnam City School District for the past 17 years, Norman has always been home. In fact, Wright was part of the inaugural staff when Norman North High School opened.

“I feel like I have come full circle and I am super excited to come back to Norman High,” she said. “I am thrilled to be back here and in this position.”

Wright said she is also focused on creating the “best possible experience for students.”

“Norman High is a dynamic place with a rich reputation for creating the leaders for tomorrow,” she said. “Working alongside staff and students, I want to continue building a culture of learning and risk-taking at NHS. I love seeing kids engaged and excited to learn every day.”

She too will work to address the mental health needs of students and teachers.

“One of our challenges right now coming out of the pandemic is to find some sense of normalcy while creating a safe place for our students and faculty. They need to be healthy both mentally and physically to learn.”

She will utilize a program called Character Strong, a social-emotional and character development curriculum, to facilitate a positive classroom environment. Students will engage with the program for a few minutes each week targeting five key areas.

“The goals for this program are to help our students label and manage their emotions and a key component to that is the teachers in our classrooms. They are the positive ingredient to help kids show empathy.”

Wright said she is thankful for the “high level of community support and parent involvement” at Norman High.

“All these different groups band together to support learning and encourage our young people to stay in school,” she shared. “It takes a village to nurture our schools. We are all in this together.” – BSM

Hallie Wright