Meet the Principal: Tricia McCarthy

Tricia McCarthy was assistant principal at Bollman Bridge Elementary School before coming to in July 2011. Read on to find out how she thinks the two schools are similar and why she'll be sweating before school starts (hint: it's not because she's nervous!).

Where she lives: Columbia

Where she’s been: Assistant Principal at Bollman Bridge. Growing up, McCarthy moved around due to her dad’s advertising career; she lived in New York, New Hampshire, Arizona and California. On her career path, she was a guidance counselor before becoming an administrator.

Why Deep Run is like Bollman Bridge: “They’re both community schools,” said McCarthy, explaining that many kids walk to school from the area. Parents at both schools have high expectations for teachers, she added.

Where you’ll find her outside of school: Biking and running (she’s competing in the Aug. 28 Iron Girl Triathlon in ).

Her take on family: Having a 2-year-old has deepened her understanding of what it’s like for parents to drop off their child, she said. “I value you as families,” explained McCarthy in an interview with Elkridge Patch, following a July 28 get-together with parents. “You trust us with the best thing you have in your life. We take it seriously.”

Her philosophy on testing: “The state has said we have to present other indicators, but what really gives us the best idea of what’s going on is the day-to-day formative assessments. It’s more real,” said McCarthy. At the end of each day—and if needed throughout the day—Deep Run teachers evaluate students’ grasp on the material and shift lesson plans accordingly.

Her idea about the classroom: It should be communication-based. “If I walk by a math class and it’s quiet, they’re probably taking a test. If not, I’m concerned,” said McCarthy. ”We need to communicate.”

On the role of school staff: Noting that Deep Run was a Title I school--meaning that there is a significant population of impoverished students--McCarthy said, “Relationships with kids are number one. That gets you motivated, and it becomes what you look forward to every day. When I see a kid that needs an extra hug, I hug them."

Where she sees Deep Run in the scheme of Howard County: “If not the best school in the county, we are going to be among the top,” she said. “My intention is that our school is the school.”