Forgive the shameless self-promotion but I wanted to post this so friends, relatives, and especially my mom would have access to it.  It is pulled from the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Newsletter.  Michelle spent a good portion of a day visiting our campus and then wrote this feature.  I appreciated her positive writeup.

March, 2013

By Michelle Hostetler, Communications Specialists for Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators

When Jim Warnock was hired as an elementary principal in 1993, he knew he needed three things: church pews in each hallway, a notebook, and time in classrooms. He had watched his mentor, Glynn Calahan, use these to become a successful principal who made a difference in the lives of her students. Ms. Calahan had a church pew on each floor of her school where she would sit with her notebook that contained information on her students (test scores, etc.). She would visit with students there praising them for good work and, when needed, encouraging them to do better. Mr. Warnock followed in her footsteps, purchasing old pews from a neighborhood church and proceeded to use the techniques Ms. Calahan used, including spending time in each classroom.

Jim started his career in education as a music teacher. His love of music started in high school where the teachers and students had a strong bond. His teachers’ hands-on approach to instruction was an inspiration to him. He knew that he wanted to go to college for music and he “didn’t think that being a rock star was going to work out” so he went into music education. Music continues to be part of his life as he plays drums in his church orchestra — maybe still working on that rock star dream??

Music isn’t Jim’s only passion. He also enjoys writing and photography. He uses his writing skills to communicate regularly with parents and staff through newsletters and memos. He has also had three articles published in the Urban Magazine, based in Fort Smith. He blogs and posts to a Facebook page for the Lake Alma Trail and the Ozark Highland Trail Association, where he serves as a board member. His love of hiking and the outdoors was evident when asked what he would be doing if not in his current position and his response was “hiking the Appalachian Trail.” Beautiful outdoor pictures line the wall of the hallway outside his office, all which were taken by Jim.

The respect the Alma Intermediate School staff has for Jim was easy to see while visiting the school. And his appreciation of the staff was also visible. He noted that he has an excellent assistant principal, Suzy Ferguson. He knows that he can rely on her to take care of things at school when his out. That allows him to participate in professional organizations such as AAEA, where he is a very active member.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who was committed to his students, teachers, and his family. Someone who continued to learn and grow. I want others to remember me the way I remember one of my mentors, Glynn Calahan. She recognized and reinforced the strengths in others and helped them build on those strengths.”    – Jim Warnock

What is your favorite thing about your job?

“Helping facilitate professional growth which then has an impact on students.”

What is the most challenging part of your job?

“Helping teachers navigate change and finding time to have conversations on deep knowledge in teaching and learning.”

What do you enjoy doing in your time off?

“Hiking and photography.”

Advice for someone considering a similar career:

“Look at the reason you want to do it. If you are aspiring to be a principal and you are not excited about teaching, you should probably do something other than education. I also always advise an aspiring principal to check out the superintendent before taking a job. The key to success as a principal is the superintendent you get to work for.” Jim commented that he has had the opportunity to work with three awesome superintendents: Bob Watson, Charles Dyer, and David Woolly.

What is something you are proud of?

“I am proud to know that I am the principal of a school that I wish I could have attended when I was a kid.”

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

“Hiking the Appalachian Trail.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

“Still trying to figure out how to be a good principal.”

Personal motto:

“When in doubt, take a step.”

One word to sum you up:

“Learner.”

“Jim Warnock represents what a great principal should be. He is first and foremost the instructional leader in his school. The great majority of his day is spent actively engaged with teachers and students in the learning process. And the results show!”

— David Woolly, Alma Superintendent