Stepping Up to the Plate

by Peyton Horak

As many of you know, Delone Catholic has recently gained a new vice principal, Mrs. Donna Tompkins. Prior to her current position, she was a geometry teacher for 28 years. After earning her Administrative Certificate within the last ten years, an opportunity became available for her to put her Administrative Degree to use.

Some of her former students are now currently her colleagues at Delone Catholic, including Jennifer Noel, David Staub, Beth Sneeringer.  When they went on to become teachers, a friendship came about among the faculty, including Mrs. Tompkins.

“One thing that is different from teaching is the fact of me being a boss to my friends”. This was a hard transition for her due to the different responsibilities of a teacher compared to those of a Vice Principal.

“Everyday is different,” Mrs. Tompkins commented in regards to still learning the ins and outs of her new position. Different from classroom preparation, where plans are laid out for the day and there is material for the students to master, administrative positions do not offer the same type of predictability.

The Vice Principal position requires, at times, more flexibility and hands on involment. This also allows her to be more in touch with the principal, Mr. LaRocca.



Mrs. Tompkins also explained that she and Mr. Larocca get along very well and have a fluid working relationship where many their ideas do not contradict, but complement one another.

In the end, it seems that Mrs. Tompkins has found a good fit. Although she doesn’t get to have that one on one time with the students in the same way as a classroom teacher, just being around them and trying to make an environment for them where they can strive and prosper is what brings her the most joy.

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