Woodland says Goodbye to Mr. Fonoimoana
By: K.Parker & A.Ing
Woodland says goodbye to our beloved Mr. Fonoimoana, an assistant principal also known as Mr. F, who will be leaving after his last day, Tuesday, Oct 18, 2022.
Mr. F has been part of this school since 2011, this year being his eleventh. Before arriving at Woodland, he worked in the power tool industry. He was interested in getting into the education industry, so he began substituting for teachers. Soon enough, he became a teacher himself when a spot was open for him at Woodland High School. He taught Special Ed, American Literature, 9th grade literature, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and also coached track. Mr. F was mainly focused on his career as a teacher, and never really thought about being an assistant principal. He explains what led to him applying for a spot as an assistant principal. “A leader came up to talk to me and encouraged me to apply for it, and I never thought about it. And I knew, from a familial standpoint, I needed to move in that direction; and so we did. It worked out great, I’m really happy I was encouraged to do that, and it’s been really fun.”
Because they are in different counties, his schedule is never aligned with his childrens’. “Spring break is the only break we really have together, so, that's about the only time we can take trips because I work during the summer. There are a lot of things that I want to expose them to before they go out on their own, and I just don’t have a lot of time to do that as a high school principal.” Mr F. will be leaving to work at an elementary school in Clayton County.
Before leaving, Mr. F left a few words for the staff and students here at Woodland High School, “Our education is a very tough place to work these days. In a lot of ways, our society sees us as customer service, as opposed to professionals that have something to offer. And so we have to work as hard as we possibly can to make sure we give you guys every ounce of knowledge you need to be successful. Regardless of what society feels, we need to build that trust back, so that it's not about us versus them, or school versus community, it's really a partnership together. And they see us as somebody who has value to offer to families, so we gotta continue on that path. For you guys as students, you have to do the absolute best for everything we are pushing you guys to learn and do. We're counting on the future to be better, based on what you are learning right now.”
“You have to find your capital T truth. Everybody has to understand that you’re part of something bigger than just yourself or just your life. You have to understand what it is, what’s your capital T truth. What drives you, what are you living this life for. You have to keep that in mind throughout your whole life.” Mr. F is a very optimistic person, and we, as a school, will miss him.
Woodland says goodbye to our beloved Mr. Fonoimoana, an assistant principal also known as Mr. F, who will be leaving after his last day, Tuesday, Oct 18, 2022.
Mr. F has been part of this school since 2011, this year being his eleventh. Before arriving at Woodland, he worked in the power tool industry. He was interested in getting into the education industry, so he began substituting for teachers. Soon enough, he became a teacher himself when a spot was open for him at Woodland High School. He taught Special Ed, American Literature, 9th grade literature, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and also coached track. Mr. F was mainly focused on his career as a teacher, and never really thought about being an assistant principal. He explains what led to him applying for a spot as an assistant principal. “A leader came up to talk to me and encouraged me to apply for it, and I never thought about it. And I knew, from a familial standpoint, I needed to move in that direction; and so we did. It worked out great, I’m really happy I was encouraged to do that, and it’s been really fun.”
Because they are in different counties, his schedule is never aligned with his childrens’. “Spring break is the only break we really have together, so, that's about the only time we can take trips because I work during the summer. There are a lot of things that I want to expose them to before they go out on their own, and I just don’t have a lot of time to do that as a high school principal.” Mr F. will be leaving to work at an elementary school in Clayton County.
Before leaving, Mr. F left a few words for the staff and students here at Woodland High School, “Our education is a very tough place to work these days. In a lot of ways, our society sees us as customer service, as opposed to professionals that have something to offer. And so we have to work as hard as we possibly can to make sure we give you guys every ounce of knowledge you need to be successful. Regardless of what society feels, we need to build that trust back, so that it's not about us versus them, or school versus community, it's really a partnership together. And they see us as somebody who has value to offer to families, so we gotta continue on that path. For you guys as students, you have to do the absolute best for everything we are pushing you guys to learn and do. We're counting on the future to be better, based on what you are learning right now.”
“You have to find your capital T truth. Everybody has to understand that you’re part of something bigger than just yourself or just your life. You have to understand what it is, what’s your capital T truth. What drives you, what are you living this life for. You have to keep that in mind throughout your whole life.” Mr. F is a very optimistic person, and we, as a school, will miss him.
