It is out with the old and in with the new as Carlmont formally introduces its new principal, Lisa Gleaton.

Gleaton, who transferred from Sequoia High School where she was the Instructional Vice Principal, will replace Dr. Zamora as he moves on to become the Director of Classified Personnel in the Fremont Unified School District.

Gleaton began teaching at Carlmont in 1994 and has now returned to continue her legacy in an even more reputable role.

“I am not interested in coming here and changing things; I don’t have this manifesto of ‘this is how I see high school education,’” said Gleaton. “Carlmont is awesome. It’s so different from when I was here 12 years ago. I think I would be an idiot to come in and try to change things.”

Gleaton went to Sequoia to get better acquainted with their International Baccalaureate program, which she thought was interesting and new. The program aims to help students create a better world through internationally and culturally based education.

“I was happy where I was, but I was really looking for a principal position in the district,” she said. “I’ve always watched Carlmont grow and prosper. When I was here, we never had more than 1,500 kids.”

With over 20 years of experience as a teacher in the Bay Area, Gleaton looks toward the future with a smile on her face, confident of what lies ahead.

“Lisa will bring a wealth of experience, vision, and leadership to her new role as principal and help guide Carlmont High School forward as it continues to promote and further develop a climate of academic excellence,” stated superintendent Jim Lianides in a press release.

Gleaton knew that if she waited long enough for the position as principal, some of the younger principals and people aiming to become higher rank would eventually go and look for even more superior positions such as superintendent.

With an extensive amount of competition in the interview process, Gleaton tried her best to make her specialties stand out.
“I know who I think I am and what I bring, but you never know who else is applying for the job. I had to convince them that whatever I bring is as good, if not better, than somebody who is already a principal,” she said.

Having had options to be accepted as principal at M-A and Woodside High Schools, Gleaton was ecstatic when she was accepted into the Carlmont community once again.

“I guess I did okay!” she said with a laugh. “I’m thrilled.”

“I hope she can help provide a better lunch program. I also hope she can set a standard for teachers so difficulty level is the same in all classes of the same subject. Some classes are so much harder than others because of the teacher,” said sophomore Nathan Klebanov.

Gleaton has her priorities in mind, focusing mainly on academics and the future the students hold as intellectuals.
“I do like sports and all of the different activities, but if I had to pick one thing, I am definitely an instructional administrator,” said Gleaton.

One of Gleaton’s main goals is not being a leader by sitting at her desk and giving orders, but rather by interacting with students and being well aware of the classroom environments at all times.

“I’m going to be in the classrooms a lot just poking my head in. I want to get a feel for what the awesome instruction is that we have here at Carlmont,” she said. “A couple of days a week I need my schedule open to be in classrooms.”

With a smile on her face the entire interview, Gleaton made clear that her main goal is for students, parents, and teachers to be happy and have fun.

“Sometimes I think administrators are too serious. I know that it is very important to take this job seriously, but it also has to be fun.”

“I am a happy person, I just am,” she said with a laugh.

As the 2012-2013 school year comes to an end, Gleaton aims mainly to settle in and end the year on a strong and positive note.
“Now I have to come up with something funny and witty to say at graduation, and I guarantee you it will be good,” she said.

Sometimes change is for the better, and with such a fresh mind joining Carlmont’s administration, the hopes are high for amazing years to come.