John Weed
Rochelle Kaiser – Homosassa Beacon
John Weed, the new principal at Rock Crusher Elementary School, plans to work over the summer on planning and organizing. He will be ready to hit the ground running when his students return.
John Weed believes he has only one chance to make a first impression and he only has one opportunity to do it right. As the new principal at Rock Crusher Elementary School, he’s already made many great first impressions.
In February of this year Weed, then assistant principal, took over as principal at Rock Crusher Elementary School when Nancy Simon, principal, left and will become the principal at the new Citrus Springs Elementary School opening this fall.
Not much has changed at the school since he took over. Weed and his staff also believe, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. “Ultimately the focus is on the kids,” said Weed.
If there’s one school that Weed knows, it’s definitely Rock Crusher Elementary. His mother, Lynn, began teaching at the school when it originally opened. She now teaches at Lecanto Primary. But at the young age of 20, Weed’s teaching career began at Rock Crusher in 1990 as a substitute teacher. Later, in 2000, he would return again to spend the next four years teaching third-grade. In 2005 he became the Assistant Principal at the school.
“It been a real transition going from substitute teacher to administrator,” said Weed.
Each year new rules are placed on schools and teachers have to become more efficient while maintaining a professional approach. “The kids are watching us and modeling after us.” said Weed. “The role of a teacher is far beyond academic.”
Rock Crusher is somewhat of a unique school whose students come from various places that include Homosassa, Crystal River, Lecanto and other areas. It’s a neighborhood school except students rarely walk there. Most all students arrive by bus or are dropped off. “We want our teachers, parents and community to feel welcome here,” Weed said.
During the next school year Weed would like to see the school’s PTO get up and going again. “We’d like to empower the kids and parents to build the proper foundation that involves the community,” said Weed. He feels his students and parents are strong and committed and are up to the task.
Weed says he has a great staff who are always trying to improve student performance. If a student is lacking, it’s his job to see that they get the needed help and support. If a staff member finds a strategy that has been found to be effective, it’s presented to the entire staff. “I’m responsible for students academic learning and I don’t take that lightly,” said Weed.
Weed will be working over the summer. Much of his time will be spent planning and organizing. With a new school opening, a few teachers from Rock Crusher will be transferring. The last week of school Weed was beginning the interviewing process to hire new teachers. He says this is good for the school and allows them to being in strength from new people. It helps keep them fresh and honest. He wants to be ready when students return on August 18. But most of all, he doesn’t want to just hire for a position. He wants to make sure the new teachers are a good fit.
“I want the kids to leave here a better person,” said Weed. “I want them to know when they leave they can come back and know they have support here.”
