Rebecca Donovan Steps Up To New Role As Assistant Principal At GFMS

George Fox Middle School will start this coming school year with a familiar face in an exciting new role. Former teacher, department chair and school performance coach Rebecca Donovan will enter her fourth year at the school with the title of assistant principal.

Donovan began her career 10 years ago as a language arts teacher at Central Middle School in Edgewater. She continued teaching at Severn River Middle School in Arnold until she was contacted by Russ Austin, principal of George Fox. Austin offered Donovan a position that would put her on track to achieve her long-term goals of filling a leadership role.

“In switching from a classroom teacher to a leadership role, my main priority is still my relationship with my students,” Donovan said. “I am someone they can come to. I want parents to know this and I want them to ensure that their kids know this. My goal is to build a relationship with each and every student so I can support them individually. Every child that walks into the building is an individual and I want to treat them as such.”

Donovan said she feels fortunate to continue working with such dedicated staff and talented students. Although the halls of George Fox and other schools throughout the county are quiet during the summer, the staff is busy preparing for the new school year. One goal is creating an atmosphere of support and spreading a culture of kindness at George Fox.

Donovan has high hopes for this coming school year. “Along with Mr. Austin and the other administrators, we hope to support our kids, not only academically but personally as well,” she said.

A middle school teacher once inspired Donovan to be the best version of herself and to strive to achieve her goals; she hopes to do the same for her students. Donovan wants students to know that their administrators are more than just authority figures and that they like to have fun as well. Donovan is looking forward to the excitement of George Fox’s annual literacy event, student-versus-staff volleyball and basketball games, and events like last year’s Pi Day festivities, where assistant principal Lindsay Drager was pied in the face by students who could remember the most numbers in the pi sequence.

When asked what advice she had for incoming sixth-graders, Donovan said, “Don’t be nervous to ask questions. Everyone needs help at some point. We are better together and we are going to navigate your sixth-grade year together. You are navigating the toughest years of your schooling, and I am never too busy to listen.”