Alameda High School's New Principal: Kelly Lara

"I have always wanted to commit my life to service," Kelly Lara says with a smile.  "I'm now in a position where I can see myself having a direct impact on my community." Alameda High School's new principal has had these aspirations she was a child growing up in a small town in Ohio.

Recruited by Fordham University for college, Lara ran track and cross country while studying in the heart of New York City. Now she has come full circle, leaving the big city to influence a community that brings back memories of the town where she was raised.

Lara's experience includes vice-principal stints at both Pittsburgh and Dougherty Valley High Schools. At Alameda High, she takes over for Mike Janvier, who held the position for six years before retiring in June.

During the first week of school, each English class was shown a PowerPoint presentation about school guidelines and student expectations. The presentation made some worry that they'd see dramatic changes to school policy. But Lara assured students that there will be no radical changes to school rules.

"Almost all of these policies were already in place," Lara said. "I have worked to make sure students are aware of what the policies are, because I think that is part of respecting students—making sure they know what the expectations are."

Lara comes to Alameda High at an uneasy time. Budget shortfalls make extreme changes to the structure of the school system likely. Even if a parcel tax is successful, the combination of the Alameda and Encinal High Schools is viewed as a viable option for cost-cutting. However, Lara is not phased. "For now," she says, "we will focus on our number one goal: student learning."

What do you enjoy most about being principal? The best part is definitely the interaction with the students and the collaboration I get to engage in with teachers.

What makes you most apprehensive about the budget situation? I think for everyone, it's the fact that we won't know what's going to happen for a while. This makes students, families, and staff members anxious. But if we can re-new our focus on our goal of student learning, we can let that drive us. No matter what, I have confidence that students will receive an excellent education.

What do you like about Alameda as a community? I love that it reminds me of where I grew up. I'm from a small town, and Alameda is very much a small town. I love that I know my neighbors, and that I see my students when I'm walking down Park Street. One of the major reasons that I chose to come here was that I really feel like I'm making a direct impact on my community in the work I do.

What do you do for fun? I like to cook and I would love to someday go to chef school. I also love reading and traveling. I'm hoping to go to the Philippines on my next long vacation.  I have a dog and I enjoy running.