When Carl Mock came for his job interview, he wore a tie designed by a 10-year-old. It had a bright scene with puffy white clouds and a rainbow. Mock, a candidate for principal at Hildreth Elementary School (HES), visited the school on Jan. 13 and then met with parents and community members in the evening. When he visits classrooms, he explained, he likes to wear a tie that kids will notice and talk about with him.
Mock, who is the third and final candidate to visit HES, has 35 years of experience in public education, including 15 years as superintendent of the Hartford School District in White River Junction, Vt. Most recently, Mock served as director/superintendent of the River Valley Technical Center School District in Springfield, Vt.
Mock’s experience in elementary education came early in his career, when he taught fifth and sixth grade and then served as principal (and superintendent) of a K-8 school district in Little Compton, R.I. He noted in his letter of application that this early experience had shown him “the importance of developing trust and respect among students and adults alike.”
While he was superintendent in the Hartford district, Mock recounted, he had overseen the building of two new elementary schools. He explained that he gravitated toward the elementary schools in his district “because they were eager to try new things.”
Like the previous candidates who visited HES, Mock described the students as engaged and ready to learn. He was also impressed with the level of ongoing professional development in Harvard, which he considers a very positive indicator for a school.
Mock emphasized the importance of fostering students’ individual talents and interests. He explained that he sees a difference between education and schooling. “Sometimes schooling can get in the way of education,” he noted wryly.
Both students and teachers must be able to try new approaches, Mock asserted. “One thing a principal is supposed to do,” he explained, “is to take some legitimate risks, and also to encourage teachers to do so, knowing we’ll have their backs.” One reason he is interested in being a principal rather than a superintendent is to be closer to the classroom, he noted.
Among the many people Mock met on his daylong visit to Harvard, he made particular mention of Chef Paul Correnty. “Forget your principal—make sure you keep your chef!” he quipped.
