Take Five: Principal Tyrone Dowdell at Green Elementary School

Take Five is a series that highlights some of the many members of the CPS community who are going above and beyond for our schools. If you know someone who is making a difference, nominate them to be featured here.

Happy Principal Appreciation Month! This week, we’re excited to spotlight Mr. Tyrone Dowdell, who has served as the principal of Wendell E. Green Elementary School for the past 22 years.

After so much time in the role, Principal Dowdell is now able to take a step back and see all of the positive impacts he and his team have made over the last two decades.

“Sometimes when I’m in the thick of the day-to-day work, it’s hard to keep track of all the changes that have happened,” says Principal Dowdell. “But when parents or community members who have lived in the neighborhood for their entire lives stop me and tell me they see improvements, that’s when I really feel like I’m making a difference.”

Principal Dowdell makes sure to point out that these successes aren’t due to him alone, but to the talent and dedication of his entire staff, the hard work of students, and the active engagement of parents and families.

Learn more about Principal Dowdell below!

What is one of your biggest priorities this school year?

One goal that will remain steadfast is our focus on writing. The reason I focus on writing is because it involves the whole metacognition process; writing is the best evidence that a student is truly able to decode, comprehend, and articulate their thoughts on a certain text. Writing is an essential ingredient to having a successful school year, so it’s very important that our students practice it every day.

How would you describe your leadership style?

That question is hard to answer, because I’m a different leader for different people. Just like when you’re in the classroom and different students receive differentiated lessons, my staff are all at a different point in their own growth and development. I try to meet people where they are, but overall, I’d say I love interacting with students and staff, and I always make an active effort to partner with parents.

What advice would you give to a first-year principal?

Stay strong and stay focused. The principalship will get better! Sometimes as a new principal, you feel like you’re in a silo and it can be lonely. But trust me: not only are there other new leaders going through the same struggles, there are veteran leaders going through them too. There is support available for you, so reach out for help if you need it. Lastly, you were chosen as the leader of your school for a reason, so don’t doubt yourself!

What is your message to other school leaders during Principal Appreciation Month?

I love you! Love goes a long way. One of the mottos at our school is to “speak life and speak love.” If you ask me how my week is going, it’s going great. Speaking positively makes a difference, and I want other principals to know that they are loved.

What do you like to do when you’re not at Green?

I love spending time with family, cooking, and being on the grill. My favorite thing to make is smoked turkey!