Text by BEN COHEN
A PRINCIPAL PAST Adam Paulson stands in the hallways he has roamed over his last six years as a Palo Alto High School administrator. “It’s a tough job,” he says. “I mean, anybody that’s going to take this seat knows that.” Photo by Zoë Wong-VanHaren
PRINCIPAL PAULSON
REFLECTING UPON UPCOMING DEPARTURE
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N JAN. 24, Palo Alto High School principal Adam Paul- V: Why are you planning on leaving Paly and what are your plans for son announced that he would be resigning at the end of the future? the school year. Verde Magazine sat down with him and P: Well, in my statement, I said that it was for personal reasons, gave him a chance to reflect on the experiences he has had, as both and I’m gonna stick with that. I’ll keep those reasons to myself. But assistant principal and principal. After six years as an administrator, I’ll just say that I’ve enjoyed my time here and I’m hoping to leave Paulson extends advice for students, faculty and his successor (who this place in good hands. is yet to be announced). v V: What is one moment that defines your time at Paly? Verde: How do you feel about the many stigmas that surround Palo P: Gosh, I love this school so much and I’ve had so many good Alto Unified School District, including memories just with students. A lot academic rigor and social stress? of those were during Spirit Week or Paulson: Well, I’ve been around the What gives me energy is just just at sporting events and related country; I’ve been in schools in the to all the great music and art that’s being in the classroom and all Midwest, Colorado and California. on campus. It’s really hard to kind those little moments every day. of pinpoint one. But what gives me I’ve worked in charter schools and worked in public schools and the I mean, I try to connect with energy is just being in the classroom things that happened here and the and all those little moments every students every day.” stigmas that are occurring — they day. I mean, I try to connect with — ADAM PAULSON, principal happen everywhere. I think it’s more students every day, whether that’s in of a generational thing. You guys are the classroom, in the library, or just growing up with the internet and a lot more distractions — I was doing interviews with you. I think it’s just the culmination of all lucky to grow up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, where, you know, we didn’t those moments of interaction with students that gives me energy. have that. And so it’s interesting. And so I think a lot of the pres- V: What advice would you give to your successor? sures that you’re feeling are just because the world is speeding out, P: It’s a tough job. I mean, anybody that’s going to take this seat the communication flow is just quicker, and in the end, we expect knows that. I would say definitely connect with students every day. more out of students. I don’t think it’s a Palo Alto issue, I think it’s Do what gives you energy to remind you why you’re here, get a lot a your-generation issue. of sleep and just keep a healthy balance.
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