On September, 16th we sat down with Dr. Garrett and got to ask her a few questions about how the school year has gone so far.

Have you enjoyed your North experience so far?

“I love it and it is good to be back with kids since I have been in administration for so long. I have worked with teachers a lot but it’s really just been the student part that I have missed.”

What has been your biggest challenge being a principal?

“I would say there are several challenges because every district has a different way of doing things. Adjusting to the new system at North and Norman acronyms and process. Covid is secondary and has been hard since it spiked. It’s a little different because we can’t do this and that like inside assembles. It adds more complication, overall ”

After last year with covid, what positives did you walk away with?

“ We all recognize that just learning doesn’t just occur at school. Good learning can happen at home as well. I also liked how I just had a meeting on zoom and I didn’t have to travel across town and it just confirmed that we can do a lot of business on zoom. It makes my job a lot easier.”

What is the biggest difference between being a principal at Norman North to when you were at Bentonville?

“Other than what I have talked about, when I became a principal over there I had been an assistant principal at the school and a Junior High Principal at the school and by the time I was a high school principal I knew everyone. I had students I had in high school that I taught in 6th grade. So there is just a lot of history there and having a good, strong relationship. I just moved in June, so I am learning Norman and there’s a lot of learning to do at this point.”

What changes are you looking forward to making coming to Norman North?

“I am very unhappy with discipline, we are better kids than how we are acting. Tearing up bathrooms to me is ridiculous and I don’t get it. I just watched the video of 4 kids tear apart the bathroom, like why? This is our school. Do you do that to your own house? No! So why do kids do it to their own school? It is very upsetting to me and It will change and It won’t take the whole year either. The second one has to do with building on the good work that’s already here. I want to change advisory because it seems to be more like a study hall and I want it to be more helpful and useful to all of the students. I have already put that out to the teachers and different ways to do that. I want to make it truly good to you guys and not make it a burden” 

What has been your favorite moment at Norman North?

“Oh, that is a hard one. Definitely, the Crosstown Clash was pretty fun, and winning it was even better. I even add a bet with the Norman high Principle if we won she had to wear green pants to school the next day, so she had to do that. That was pretty funny.”