Outgoing Principal Dishes on Noah Tennant Day, Haddonfield Education Quality

At the July 14 school board meeting, Mayor Tish Colombi issued a proclamation declaring the date to be Noah Tennant Day in Haddonfield in recognition of his contributions to the district as the middle school principal.

Among other praise, Colombi's proclamation included glowing testimonials from HMS students:

"He always listened no matter how busy he was and he always gave you the confidence you needed to get through the obstacles of middle school."

"He was not confined to an office but rather had a presence in the halls and classrooms all day."

"He was the best principal ever and keeping his word when he came, he learned every student's name the first year he was here."

Haddonfield Patch asked Tennant to reflect on his time in the district and describe some of the new challenges ahead at his next position.

Haddonfield Patch: How did you spend Noah Tennant Day in Haddonfield?

Noah Tennant: I was packing! I spent the day trying to prepare the new principal for the transition and talking with my assistant principal.

Haddonfield Patch: By all accounts you were very well-liked here, and your contributions were very much appreciated by parents, students and staff members. What motivated your departure?

Tennant: Well, I wasn’t looking. I was feeling quite fulfilled here. I do some work with the University of Pennsylvania Educational Leadership for Aspiring Principals program, and I met the CEO of Boys' Latin of Philadelphia, a charter school, through an event there. He said he was looking for a head of the school. I liked his devotion to their mission, and made the difficult choice to leave.

Haddonfield Patch: Haddonfield is a very well-positioned school district. Did you see this position as a new challenge for you?

Tennant: It was something new to learn. Being part of such a wonderful district like Haddonfield has equipped me with a lot. I have something to offer the school. What I like about Boys' Latin is that they accept all students from the neighborhood. Going there means kids commit to an eight-to-five school day as well as Saturday instruction. There’s mandatory extracurriculars. And they’re operating like that and succeeding. Ninety-six percent of their first graduating class is going on to college.

Haddonfield Patch: In the past few years, Haddonfield has lost a lot of its top-tier educational talent to other school districts. Is this coincidental, or do you think there’s anything the district or the community can do to retain them?

Tennant: I think a lot of it has to do with the strength of this district. I think people recognize the excellence of this district. Some of it is coincidence. It’s not everywhere where the district leadership would allow me to do work in other places, like Penn; to spread the good work we do in other places. I don’t think Haddonfield will ever have trouble retaining the most talented of educators.

Haddonfield Patch: So as you leave town, what do you want people to remember about Noah Tennant Day?

Tennant: What I hope people remember is that I think learning happens best when it’s founded in good relationships—teachers, parents and students working together, knowing their children’s styles and what works for them.