Recently, Gannon Burks transferred from his position as Assistant Principal to an administrator in student attendance and discipline at the district office. Since then, Poway High gained a temporary Assistant Principal, Alicia Graeff.
Assistant Principals handle student discipline, represent the administration at parent meetings, supervise students at breaks and lunch and work on projects.
Before she retired from her position as principal at Valley Center Prep in Pauma, Graeff worked for Poway Unified School District for many years.
She was an assistant principal at Westview and before that she was an English teacher here at Poway.
Staff members who worked with her here are happy to have her back.
“I love working with administration, and it’s nice to work with familiar faces,” temporary receptionist Susie Warriner said.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been in this position,” Graeff said. “It feels like I’m coming home again.”
Graeff has many responsibilities in her new position.
She assists her fellow administrative staff to enforce school rules that are not followed on campus, such as students not picking up their trash and referrals for behavior and academic dishonesty.
Graeff has already managed to show incredible resilience in the face of pressure, earning the respect of those who she works with.
“She’s incredible,” Principal Richard Nash said.
“She’s high-energy, brings positive energy to the environment, and is very well-connected with the staff,” he added.
Graeff is unsure how long she will be here while Nash looks for a permanent assistant principal.