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The following is part of a series of introductions to new teachers and administrators in the Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns. For the entire series, see our New Faces at TUFSD page.
SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y . Anthony Baxter isn't exactly a new face at Sleepy Hollow High School, but this year he's taking on a new role as Assistant Principal. He wants students to get ready for a great year.
I just want them to come in with the right attitude: understanding and appreciating what an awesome opportunity they have, Baxter said. They're given an education and the opportunity to get an education is here before them every day.
Baxter succeeds Alan Alterbaum, who retired at the end of August. This is Baxter's 19th year in education.
I always wanted to be an educator, Baxter said. From the time I was in high school. I had a great experience in high school and kind of said, 'You know what? I want to teach, I want to coach, I want to be involved in this, I want to make this my life's work.'
Baxter began his career at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, then moved to Rye and then Blind Brook High School. He had various positions in teaching, coaching and administration. He came to TUFSD four years ago as an English teacher and coach in football and basketball.
When Alterbaum retired, Baxter said he saw an opportunity to come back to administration in a place he feels strongly about.
The people here are great, he said. And when I say the people, it's the students, it's the faculty and staff, it's the parents. I just have a really good feeling about the people that are here, the people that are involved in this school. It's a great place to work.
Although Baxter's staying at SHHS, he won't be coaching this year. Ultimately, he said, he didn't think it was the right thing to do, since his new job is time consuming. Baxter says that he doesn't think his departure from coaching will be a bad thing; the school hired a really good coach over the summer.
Baxter says he wants to expand the role of the assistant principal. In addition to attendance and discipline, Baxter said he wants to be more involved in student and academic life.
This means kind of expanding the role from the old traditional idea of a dean of students maybe into kind of like an assistant principal for student life that kind of has his hand in everything, Baxter said.
Baxter said he's always felt a connection to high school kids.
I think it's an exciting time in their lives, he said. It's a confusing time in their lives. There's a lot of things going on and I think they need well-intentioned adults around them who have an interest in them and want to see them do well and succeed.
Parents: How are you dealing with the start of school? Are you crying because your kids are starting a new chapter in their lives or are you rejoicing because your kids are out of the house again?
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