Principal Matthew Hunt (right) helps freshman Tamya Peterson (left) position a basketball before shooting it during 1st lunch in the small gym on October 15, 2015. (Roundtable photo by Gysel Garcia)
Principal Matthew Hunt (right) helps freshman Tamya Peterson (left) position a basketball before shooting it during 1st lunch in the small gym on October 15, 2015.
(Roundtable photo by Gysel Garcia)
Out of 55 candidates, Northern’s principal Matthew Hunt won the Durham Public Schools principal of the year award. Hunt’s dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm make Northern the best school it can be and are some of the main reasons why he won this award.
“Principal Matthew Hunt was chosen by his fellow principals,” Superintendent of DPS Bert L’Homme said. “All 55 Durham Public School principals voted, and Hunt received votes to make him one of five finalists. Subsequently, he was interviewed by a committee [that] also visited the school. The committee was so impressed with the school and Hunt’s relationship with students and teachers [that] they chose him [from] among the five [other] finalists to be DPS Principal of the Year.”
A principal who makes a connection with all the students to make everyone feel more comfortable can cause a better attitude around campus.
“Hunt knows every student’s name,” Spanish teacher Melesio Bustamante Salinas said. “Hunt’s attitude towards the students encourages me to do better in my own classes.”
Hunt is involved in everything that goes on at Northern, which is another quality that students could not be more thankful for.
“[Hunt] goes to almost all of the sporting events,” sophomore Anita Sewell said. “I always see him at my games, and other games that I go to. He [is] there cheering on the Knights.”
Hunt started teaching at Northern in 2005 as a math teacher. Hunt later became the assistant principal. Hunt has been the principal at Northern for three years now and has changed many things at school. He has changed policies and attitudes at Northern that make it a better school as a whole. Hunt promotes the “UKNIGHTED” motto of Northern. Hunt has also implemented the student advisory council and wants to give students a bigger voice.
“Hunt is a very strong and intelligent leader that has implemented many positive incentives in the Northern community,” sophomore Acelynn Barefoot said.
Receiving this award has brought great honor to Northern, as Hunt’s attitude and dedication make the school succeed in many different areas.
“His attitude rubs off on everyone,” junior Eric Stokes said. “Teachers and students all love Hunt because of his hard work, dedication and how he cares about all of us so much.”