From Good to Great Dr Khalid Griffin

By Tabitha Ervin
Editorial Director

Dr. Griffin is currently the only African American principal in Fort Wayne Community Schools. He has worked his way up from teaching English at South Side, leading the alternative program at Nebraska for a year in addition to being an assistant principal of discipline at North Side and assistant principal at Snider. His love for education inspired him to get his PhD and he even spent time leading future teachers at Trine University in the School of Education most recently before coming to Blackhawk.

When he was in his early twenties, he wanted to be a superintendent, a leader in education, and being a principal was always appealing.

In his first few months as the Principal at Blackhawk he is learning about the students, teachers and staff as well as being excited about the positive impact he is focused on having at the school. Their recent Back to School Night was very successful and he had a variety of families who were excited to meet and connect with him. He especially remembers an interaction with a dad in which a head nod of respect was exchanged.

Dr. Griffin wants parents and staff to feel safe and welcomed in the learning environment at Blackhawk. When I walked up to the school for this interview, Dr. Griffin was outside engaging with students as they were leaving for the day or going back into the school for the double header football and volleyball games that were taking place that night. There was an “vibe” in the air that I couldn’t quite describe but after spending time inside the school, I understood.

He has added a new energy for students to take pride in their school. They do fun games in the cafeteria and announcements have become more fun. Dr. Griffin is invested in creating an environment where students want to be at school and want to be a part of what’s happening.

At this point in the conversation we discussed the psychology of connection and the idea of belonging and of course there's Maslow's hierarchy of needs. We all want to be welcomed, feel needed and feel like we belong regardless of who we are and what environment we are in.

Dr. Griffin is paying special attention to the culture and morale and of course, instruction and academics along with partnerships and community. He referred to these as his three pillars. His motto, if you ask any staff member is, “going from good to great”.

Dr. Griffin will continue to push the envelope on celebrating ALL students!