Submitted by Kim Taylor
December 11, 2014 1:00 a.m.
I had the opportunity this week to visit with Mrs. Jane Arnold, retiring Principal of Fernandina Beach High School. After nearly two decades of illustrious leadership at FBHS, she will be “handing the wheel” to her extremely capable Asst. Principal, Mr. Spencer Lodree.
In this era of high-stakes testing, Jane Arnold has led Fernandina Beach High School into the coveted position of one of the highest performing high schools in the nation. In 2013, Governor Rick Scott recognized FBHS for ranking in the top 10% of Florida schools for overall student achievement in Reading, Math and Science, as well as a stellar graduation rate. “U.S. News and World Report” ranked FBHS in the top 2.8% of public high schools in the nation. “Newsweek” placed FBHS on the list of “Best 1,000 High Schools in America”.
Millions of dollars has been extended to the students of FBHS in the form of scholarships and grants further demonstrating their ability to compete with other students nationally. Rather than accept any of the credit, Mrs. Arnold passed the credit to her students saying “They make me proud.”
In fact, one of her greatest accomplishments is the growth of the Advanced Placement Program which “has remained a constant goal” throughout her tenure as principal. High school students have the ability to take AP courses for actual college credit at no cost during the regular course of the high school day. She embraces these successes not as her own but as the successes of her students led by AP teachers who “are always dedicated to insuring the success of the students.”
“Some of my most memorable experiences at Fernandina Beach High School occurred during the two years spent teaching AP Language and AP Literature. The opportunity to get to know a school from the inside out provided me with insight into our school community that could not have been gained in any other way.” By first serving as a teacher, she could implement and reinforce all of the things that she deems important. It is this inside knowledge that guides her daily leadership activities. When asked about the secret of being a strong leader, she deflected to her staff; “Surround yourself with strong teachers!”
The truth is that any school is only as strong as its stakeholders – all of them. Mrs. Arnold spoke humbly about the enormous level of support provided by the FBHS community. “The commitment of the Fernandina Beach community to provide ‘whatever it takes’ to maintain quality curricular and co-curricular programs for its youth is amazing”. She continued praising the dedicated, selfless efforts of parent volunteers who spend countless hours in the school in many different roles making the school’s successes possible.
Her gratitude to others for her own successes is probably one of her most endearing attributes. She considers her legacy to be one of shared leadership; “a strong principal is purposefully surrounded by outstanding teachers. I look at this staff of overqualified high school teachers and ask ‘How did we get so lucky?’ Most of these teachers are qualified to teach at the university level or work in the private sector but choose to be here because they love teaching high school students’.”
She spoke with concern about the thousands of required standardized tests to be administered. “It is true that I am disappointed in the direction education has taken throughout the country. This spring, FBHS will administer nearly 3,000 state-mandated, high-stakes exams in fourteen days. Those exams will be followed by district end-of-course exams, AP exams, spring SAT and ACT exams, and Florida college entrance exams. The financial cost is staggering and the loss of instructional time and resulting reduction of enrichment activities that contributed to the joy of learning is distressing”. She empathizes and shares the complete dismay of all who are affected in any way by the barrage of testing that takes place in public schools beginning in the primary grades.
Her one Christmas wish was directed to the parents of her students. “Parents could just send an email telling us what is happening with their children after they graduate…” Of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to share what my own children were doing and she beamed with the pride that only an invested parent or guardian could. The reward of a true educator lays in the achievements of the students whose lives they are able touch.
To watch her stroll down the hallway of her front office is humbling. Having dedicated her life to leading tens of thousands of young adults into the world, she is stepping down. But she doesn’t plan to leave education entirely. Mrs. Arnold plans to continue her calling in education by participating in ‘educational initiatives throughout the county’, but she wouldn’t elaborate any further. She plans to spend more time with her husband, her two sons, two daughters and two grandchildren, whose photographs are proudly displayed in her office.
Mrs. Arnold spoke of FBHS as if it were hers…the staff was her family, the students her own children and the physical building her home. “I have a deep appreciation for all who have helped make FBHS one of the finest schools in the country. Leaving will be difficult, but knowing that FBHS is in good hands makes the transition easier. After nearly 20 years, I believe it’s the right time for me to graduate!”
Editor’s Note: Kim Taylor was born in Texas, but after fourteen years she calls Fernandina her home. Kim has a bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and psychology, a Master’s in Education and an Ed.S. in Education Leadership. She is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Previously, she worked for fourteen years at the Nassau County School Board in a variety of roles. Kim is the mother of five children and five stepchildren. Two are attending FSU, three are still at home.
Kim is taking time to pursue her love of writing and to complete a book. We thank Kim for her contribution to the Fernandina Observer.
I bet somewhere, Kim Taylor, there was a fourth, fifth, or sixth grade teacher who said, “Kim, you have the talent to be a writer. You should think about that.” If I asked for their name you could give it to me. Never forget to thank them each time you finish an article or book.
Congratulations to Jane on her upcoming retirement and thanks for all those years of teaching and service to our community. The children are our future and it is through the leadership and role modeling by our stellar teachers and school administrators that our community will continue to flourish with talented people having strong ideals.
An example of excellence.