This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

New Hire Begins Principal Career at Samuel Ogle

After 17 years as assistant principal, Mark Covington returns to Prince George's County as new principal at a Bowie middle school.

A native teacher of Prince George's County, Mark Covington returns from Howard County to serve as 's new principal.

He taught in Prince George's schools for eight years as a science instructor and then became assistant principal in the county for 10 years.

He was assistant principal in Howard County for the past seven years. Covington earned his undergraduate degree at Towson University in health sciences and his graduate degree at Bowie State University in administration.

Find out what's happening in Bowiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Covington: I feel back at home. Everyone has been warm and welcoming. At our “Meet the Principal Night,” we had about 250 to 300 people come. They were very supportive.

Patch: What got you into education?

Find out what's happening in Bowiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Covington: I knew I was going to be a teacher since my senior year in high school. I used to think not-great things about administration, not that any of my administrators were bad, but I always had the sense that the really hard work was done in the classroom. Teachers should have a sense of honor being in the classroom.

While most of the important work is done in classroom, I've realized that to have a broader impact on the students, that’s done in the administration.

Patch: Who most inspired you to become a principal?

Covington: My principal at Laurel High School ... he was great. He had one very important thing. He always put the kids first. Nearly every principal I’ve had has had that belief, always put the kids first. That really stuck with me. There’s a saying in the field, you have to put your ego in your back pocket. It’s not about the adults; it’s about the kids.

Patch: What do you miss most about teaching in a classroom?

Convington: One of my high school teachers, I saw the effect he had on the kids, and on me, and it led me here. What I miss most is having that immediate and constant interaction with the kids every day. It was a group of individuals growing together. I miss the changes it brought to me. After I retire from administration, I have every intention to going back to the classroom.

Patch: What do you hope the students will take away from you as principal?

Covington: The [high school] teacher helped me understand that I can be whatever I wanted to be.

Patch: What are your priorities as principal?

Covington: Same as the county’s priorities: High expectations for the students, rigorous academic study, good citizenship, respecting oneself.

We all want the same end product: Good citizens that have grown and learned to think for themselves.

Patch: What is the different between being a principal and assistant principal?

Covington: I can't remember what president said it, but 'The buck stops here.' Everything lands here on the desk. Assistant principals work really hard, but there are some things they don’t need to know about. The principal has to know everything.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?