Q&A with New Mokena Elementary Principal Chris Clavenna

For new , hands-on experience is going to come quickly.

Clavenna was hired just 11 days before the start of the 2011 school year, after former MES principal Steve Stein was named interim District 159 superintendent following the on Aug. 11.

For Clavenna, the new job means a new role in the district she has worked in for the past 11 years, and it’s an opportunity to return to the first school building she was employed at in the district.

Patch had a chance to spend a few minutes with Clavenna just days before the school year kicks off.

Patch: Before we get into your new position, can you tell us a little bit about your background, both education-wise and experience-wise?

Chris Clavenna: I went to the University of St. Francis for undergrad and then got my first masters from Saint Xavier in curriculum and instruction. Then my second masters from Governor’s (State University), which was in administration—my Type 75 (certification). I finished that last April and then I was hired as the assistant principal at the junior high in May, so that was a quick thing.

I started teaching in the Homer district as a fifth-grade teacher and then I came here—I was actually in this building as a fifth-grade teacher for one year. Then moved to MIS when the new junior high was opened and was at MIS for 10 years, and then I spent one year as the assistant principal at the junior high.

Patch: So you got hired in May as the assistant principal for the junior high. Was it kind of the same position you're in now? Meaning, did you have very little time to get acclimated to your new role?

CC: I didn't start in May, I actually didn't start that job until July 1st. You know, Scott Pritchard, who was the former assistant principal, got a principalship, and (his old position) was open and I applied for it and I was lucky enough to get it.

So, I had all summer. So, it's a little bit different. But, you know, Mr. Stein has left, he was all set, pretty much. There's a couple things here and there, just getting to know the ins and outs of MES that I'm working on and some things that I'm still doing, still working on. But he had a lot of things all set to go, and having Mrs. (Judy) Splayt here has been wonderful.

Patch: With that being said, are there a few nerves about stepping into this role with such a short window to really settle in?

CC: Oh yeah, you could say there's a couple nerves (laughing). But everyone has been really helpful here, so it's been great to that aspect. To say I wasn't a little overwhelmed at first … but slowly each day I get more done. So, I'm just looking forward to meeting all the teachers (Thursday) and Friday, and of course all the kids on Monday.

Thursday and Friday is teacher's institute, and then the students come in on Monday.

Patch: So, what have you been doing in the short amount of time that you have, to get ready for this year?

CC: Just going through the different schedules of all the teachers to learn their schedules. We're going to be adopting the RTI behavior, so I've had meetings about that. Going through things that I need to discuss with the faculty and staff. Just kind of getting out there so I can introduce myself. A lot of the teachers know me because I started out here, which is helpful, and I've been in the district for a long time, so that is kind of helpful.

I've also been answering the emails of concerned parents with different things. We have a new nurse, so she's working on making sure that she has everything that she needs.

Patch: In terms of stepping up from assistant principal to now a principal, what has that been like?

CC: You know, I feel like I have the perfect transition because I have Judy (Splyat), who has been in the building for a long time and she's very helpful. We bounce ideas off each other, we've met pretty much all day today. It's been great to have her ...

Then to have Steve (Stein) and Chuck (Vitton), right across the hallway is fantastic. So, I know I can go over there and say, “Steve, about this ...,” asking him questions, what's been done (before).

It's really an ideal way to transition from an assistant principal to a principal.

Patch: You mentioned trading emails with parents about their concerns. What concerns have they expressed to you and how have you answered their concerns or questions?

CC: Some of the concerns are different kids with different issues and making sure that they have accommodations.

Some of the concerns are with the new transportation, both arrival and dismissal. I'm asking parents to be very patient with this; it's new to us also. It's going to be new to them. There's probably going to be some issues that we have to deal with. Different things like that.

Patch: So just different issues associated with the school day; there haven't been any concerns raised about your hiring or about the suddenness of it?

CC: No, no, no. If there are concerns, I haven't heard them. We'll put it that way. I'm sure there are some concerns, but I haven't heard them. I'm sure it's helped greatly that I've been in the district this long and, like I said, Judy has been a great help with everything.

Patch: Sticking with concerns, what are yours heading into the new year?

CC: The transportation issue will probably be one. People are going to have to be patient. I need to be worried about getting 700 children in here safely, and that's my main concern. I know people—I'm a working parent—so, I know people have to get to work and they're going to want to drop off and leave, but we're going to have to make sure everybody is safe.

Because … (parents) had to pay for transportation (this year), so we don't have as many people riding the buses, so you're going to have more car drivers, which is going to have the parking lot be a little congested. But I have to say, Mr. Stein and Mrs. Splyat have done a wonderful job of putting together a transportation plan and we're going to need to have everybody's help in the building to make it successful.

Then, another thing I'm obviously concerned about is the bigger classroom sizes due to our cutbacks. Are we going to be meeting all of the students’ needs with the bigger class sizes? Sometimes you have more discipline problems because of the larger classroom sizes. Things like that. That's a concern of mine.

Just with all of these cuts and everything, that the teachers’ morale is also OK. It's a great group of teachers, they're very dedicated and they're very hard working. But, sometimes when you're hit with cutbacks, it can be very hard.

Patch: Well, it seems like despite concerns and with such a short window to get ready, you're very excited about the start of the year.

CC: I am! I am! Maybe it's me being naïve, but I am very excited. … I started out in this building, I'm coming back to this building. The unique thing is that … I can now say that I've worked with every single set of staff.

I worked with the people at MIS as a teacher and assistant principal at MJH and now I get to work with the staff at MES. You just see, I guess you're truly able to see how truly dedicated our teachers are in this district. They're hard working, they want the best for our students.

Patch: One final question: Is there anything you think students, parents, staff, faculty and the community should know about you that maybe we didn't ask?

CC: Wow. What they should know about me? I don't know. You know, I'm a hard worker. Hard work—I'm not scared of it. I will work my hardest and do my best to make this year successful for the students, the parents and the teachers.