Imagine teaching English at BHS, going away for a couple of years, then coming back as an assistant principal. There are many teachers and administrators at this school students might not know about. This person is described as someone who builds up others and does not tear anyone down.
Staff at BHS have said that this person is very creative and has good ideas. His name is Mr. Eric Mattingly, and he is the new Assistant Principal for the Class of 2028. This year he has 850 students as a part of his class. He wants to make sure the students have “academics, behavior, counseling and classes scheduled,” Mattingly said.
Mattingly is excited to see the students grow over the next four years. When Mattingly was an English teacher, he enjoyed when former graduated students cme back.
“I worked in a middle school for a couple years, but I think high school is an enjoyable time to be involved with students because they are growing and learning so much,” Mattingly said.
While he is the new assistant principal he has many goals for the Class of 2028. His honest response is he wants to improve every year. Mattingly wants to watch the current seniors and the other grade levels because he wants to improve on the graduation rates and test scores.
“I would say preparing them to be leaders is getting them to hold themselves accountable for their learning. How do they act and behave not only when people are looking but when people aren’t?” Mattingly said.
While he wants to hold students accountable for their education, he also wants the students to get involved in extracurricular activities. “I love the Friday night football games and how our spirit coordinators get kids to go to all events,” said Mattingly.
Ms. Kate Wisley said when she was a student teacher, Mattingly was one of the teachers that worked in the English department.
“My first interactions were English 10 PLC, when I was student teaching, and I thought he was very funny,” said Ms. Wisley. “I thought he was very creative, and the kids really seem to like him.”
Mattingly has been coworkers with some of the English teachers that work here, and Ms. Wisley said she has many good memories of him. “He’s always just been very supportive, not just of me, but everybody in our department,” said Wisley.
Mattingly taught for 16 years at the high school. All Mattingly wants is for the students to be safe in the school and feel like students would be able to go to him if they need anything.
“He’s a great teacher, and I have to imagine he’s going to be a great assistant principal for us too,” Wisley said.
