After a fulfilling 7 years as assistant principal at Galileo, Ms. Arkin is ready to move on and take the next step in her career as she will become principal for James Lick Middle School next year, leaving behind many great memories with students and staff.
Even though Ms. Arkin feels as though she is ready for the excitement of leading a school, she also is sad to leave the place she has grown really fond of. She said, “It’s one of those things where I really wanted to find something that was the right fit. I don’t look at this as leaving Galileo, it’s kind of like what I would want for all of my students, which is to pursue their dreams. I’ve been an administrator for 14 years, and I’m ready to be a principal. I’m ready to take that next step. So for me, it’s more about moving forward for my career and having a bigger impact on more students, and less about leaving Galileo. It makes me cry to think about leaving.”
During her years at Galileo, Ms. Arkin’s favorite aspect of the school is seeing the endless opportunities the school provides for students. With the school having such great departments, Ms. Arkin believes that there is a place anywhere at Galileo where students can connect with adults about their future. She said, “Kids that go to Galileo that do well can be successful in college, no question.”
Ms. Arkin is proud of being able to bring restorative practices to the school that has helped to support marginalized students, as well as decreasing suspension rates. “I’m really proud of the restorative practice that was done in the dean’s office and really our suspension rate has gone down, we really have gotten students to be honest and vulnerable doing mediations and working stuff out. The fact that we can bring kids in and really talk about it and help kids apologize and take ownership,” says Ms. Arkin.
As she transitions from high school to middle school, one of Ms. Arkin’s main focuses as principal is to be able to prepare middle schoolers better for high school: “A lot of times kids come from middle school not understanding how high school works, like what the credits are, and they need A-G and all these things. One of my main goals is to make sure that all of my kids when they get to high school, they know how high school works.”
When asked about how she feels about getting this promotion, Ms. Arkin expressed how excited she is about this opportunity and doesn’t want to think about any of the challenges. She looks at the last 14 years in school administration as her “training” for these new responsibilities.
Students and staff are sad to see Ms. Arkin go and have many fond memories of how she has helped them.“As a student here at Galileo High School, Ms. Arkin was the first assistant principal that I met. She was very nice, but looked a little mean. Throughout my freshman year, she would say “hi” to me here and there, but as our relationship grew more and more, she would check in with me during my rough days and make sure that I was doing good, so now I have a lot of love for her! I knew she had new things coming her way and I just hope that everything goes super good for her future. She will be missed by me, other students, and staff here in the Galileo community,” says Junior Angie Velasquez.
Interim Assistant Principal Mr. Reid added, “Ms. Arkin has been an outstanding individual and a mentor and she will be sorely missed, we’re going to miss her enthusiasm and she’s leaving very big shoes to fill. I wish her the best of luck in her next position and may the force be with her.”
