By: Nicole Manning
As we have settled into the 2022-2023 school year, we can finally start to embrace the newfound sense of normalcy after the challenges that came with online learning and trying to find the balance as many of us returned to in-person learning last year. Many changes have come this year including Spirit Week, more school events, and overall a way to have more opportunities to solidify the strong community at Manhattan Center. We can thank a lot of these new opportunities to our new principal, Mr. Nicotri. I have had the opportunity to speak with him recently and here are his takes on MCSM and some of his priorities as the principal moving forward.
Q: During your years at MCSM, what has become your favorite thing about this school and the community?
A: The past 6 school years have been amazing, my favorite thing about our school community is the culture of support and diversity of thought. As I walk through the building on a daily basis, I see amazing things happening that inspire me to be a bold and brave leader that represents the awesomeness of this community.
Q: What do you want the students, and even staff, to know about you?
A: I hope that our entire community knows, sees, and feels that I care. I believe in their potential, and I cannot wait to see how far everyone here goes. Each day I get to circulate through the building and see imagination at work: when students are problem-solving, writing their ideas down on paper, and making great decisions for themselves and their peers.
Q: What is something that keeps you motivated as the acting principal of the school?
A: Now, I can officially share that I am the official principal. Many things keep me motivated, especially when things get tough or even scary. Our sports teams have really stepped up this year and represented MCSM. Going to their games really brought some life and cheer into the long days. That is why I can’t wait to see how our first homecoming turns out. Generally, all of the kids who are part of the MCSM community have their bright spots that bring joy to me each day.
Q: How will you maintain quality teachers, administration, and staff with the shrinking DOE budget?
A: That is a tough issue, but it comes with collaboration and innovation. We spend a lot of time in the hiring process and teacher development process to ensure that new teachers are the right fit for our school community. The assistant principals are also a great help to ensure that we visit classrooms on a daily basis to ensure that teachers are teaching the content and skills needed to be effective problem solvers and leaders for the future of our great city.
Q: How will you maintain the strong community and values of MCSM that have helped me grow as a student being principal of MCSM? Including collaboration, vast access to clubs and resources outside of school, teachers that are willing to push you out of your comfort zone, the relationship staff has with students, and access to trips and organizations to expose the students to a world of possibility outside of school.
A: For this, I want to take a moment to reintroduce our MCSM core values as INSPIRE (Integrity, Nerve, Support, Partnership, Innovation, Respect, and Excellence). It is through these core values that we hope all students, teachers, parents, and leaders make their everyday decisions to make Manhattan Center the best school in the city. Through these core values, we always can make the right decisions, even when they are tough ones, and pursue our wildest dreams. The goal of our work together in this school is to create the future leaders and problem solvers of tomorrow. Through our many school offerings: courses, clubs, trips, and partnerships, we can make our city a better place for our future selves and those who come after us.
Q: What would be your top priorities moving forward in this position?
A: My top priority as our new principal is to ensure the growth of student empowerment. I want the students to be at the heart of all of our decision-making in the building. We are working on growing the student council, removing barriers to elections, and ensuring that students who want to be part of the decision-making are there and central to those decisions. I also look forward to supporting student ownership of their learning and success.
Q: What is the hardest thing you had to overcome to achieve your goals?
A: The hardest thing I had to overcome to achieve my goals was to trust myself and not pay attention to how I think people view me. Becoming the principal of MCSM was not an easy task. It took years of collaborating with teachers, parents, students, and community leaders. Some people didn’t have faith in me because they thought I was too young, too inexperienced, or not connected enough. I knew in my heart that I was ready for the challenge, and I had to prove myself over the past two years to demonstrate that I could lead us. So, the lesson that I hope to pass on to the rest of you is to believe in yourself.
Though there are always many ups and downs within the school year, we must remember to rely on the strong foundation that has been set and improved over the years to keep us going. Thank you Mr.Nicotri for all your hard work over the years and working to make MCSM a rigorous, engaging, and strong community.