While Jeff Paulson is no stranger to Thrasher Elementary, he’ll be taking on a new and bigger role this fall as the school’s new principal following former Principal Regina Brock’s retirement.
After joining the staff at Thrasher in 2001, Paulson became a literacy coach for Hamilton County Schools in 2008, working in schools throughout the district before becoming Thrasher’s assistant principal three years later. He feels that being able to continue the work he’s already started as assistant principal at Thrasher – such as introducing project-based learning, in which students work to answer an authentic and complex problem or question – will be an advantage as he takes on his new position.
“It will be a seamless step for Thrasher,” he said.
Some additions to look forward to at the school in the coming year include the installation of outdoor easels, to be used by kindergartners through second-graders, which should be in place by February of next year, Paulson said.
Improving communication with parents will be a big focus next school year, he added.
“It’s been very fractured up to this point,” Paulson said, explaining that in the past, there was no standard policy regarding how teachers should communicate with parents, and each one was using his or her own method involving different technology. “We’re going to tighten that up with a unified approach for communication and make it easy for parents to access information.”
He said all teachers have committed to sending out regular emails throughout the coming school year, containing any links necessary to access information to make it simple for parents to get all the information they need in one place.
Q & A with Jeff Paulson
Q. Where are you from?
A. I’m from Michigan. I met my wife, Marcy, in college, and her family is from Chattanooga. I fell in love with Chattanooga. It’s the best town I could imagine, and the way it’s grown the last 15 years has been phenomenal.
Q. What was your favorite book as a child?
A. “Rats of Nimh” was the first book I read that I couldn’t put down. I just loved the story.
Q. What was your favorite grade in elementary school?
A. Fourth grade. My teacher, Mr. Borke, cut off two of his fingers with a snow blower and showed us the nubs. He was just a lot of fun.
Q. If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A. My wife’s cooking. I could see myself eating her sourdough rye bread with cheddar cheese hearts for the rest of my life.
Q. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A. I’m very interested in Alaska. I also like spending time in my backyard, which I rarely get a chance to do.
Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?
A. My wife and I play old-time American music in a group called the Tin Cup Rattlers. It’s what we do for fun to de-stress. I play the banjo and she plays the harmonica, and she has an amazing voice.