Social studies teacher Micah Wiggins, who played the role of the principal in last year’s production of Footloose, has now taken on a principal’s role for real. He has been named acting assistant principal, filling in for assistant principal Nicole Morgan while she is out on maternity leave for eight to nine weeks.
After Morgon’s son, Nicholas, was born on Friday, Sept. 25, Wiggins quickily transitioned into his administrative role. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Wiggins taught with his new long-term substitute teacher Troy Goodfellow. The following day, Sept. 30, Wiggins moved into the main office.
Wiggins had just completed an administration certification training program and internship when Garran approached him about the job. Wiggins believes he was ultimately chosen because of his experience at WJ.
“I am very familiar with the environment, with the vision of education, our philosophy and our approach to teaching and learning,” said Wiggins.
After having worked with him for a while, Garran felt that Wiggins couldn’t do the job better.
“Mr. Wiggins is an excellent teacher and has a high energy level,” said Garran. “Over the years, I have come to know Mr. Wiggins as a committed educator who cares about our students and cares about Walter Johnson.”
Garran also hoped that by having a current WJ teacher fill in for Morgan, it would eliminate the difficulties of introducing a new person to the staff and school.
“I believe that staff are happy that I selected someone from within WJ – as compared to bringing in someone from the outside who would have a much steeper learning curve,” said Garran.”
Wiggins is extremely excited for this new opportunity to learn about the inner workings of WJ’s administration.
“A lot of times, we, as teachers and students, [are] in the classrooms and we have no idea of how many fires the administration puts out to allow us be able to teach,” said Wiggins.
However, Wiggins does have mixed feelings about no longer being a teacher.
“I do know that I am going to miss the classroom tremendously,” he said.
The many students who feel lucky to have Wiggins are also going to tremendously miss their animated, “never-a-dull-moment,” teacher being outside the classroom.
“I’m going to miss him a lot because he’s really energetic and a really good teacher,” said junior Claire Kormann, who has Wiggins for medieval history.
Social Studies department chair Ty Healey, along with Garran, chose Troy Goodfellow to be Wiggins’ long-term substitute teacher for his U.S. history and medieval history classes. After already having planned lessons with Goodfellow, Wiggins still wants to occasionally check in on his classes.
“I think that Mr. Wiggins and Mr. Goodfellow will work well together in making this transition as smooth as possible,” said Garran.
As for whether Wiggins will be returning to the main office one day as a full-time administrator, Garran hopes that this experience will allow Wiggins to learn some about his future goals.
“I believe that this acting position will help Mr. Wiggins to decide if administration is something that he would like to pursue,” he said.
While Wiggins is learning the ins and outs of administration, he believes that his role as principal in last year’s spring musical “Footloose” was an excelling premonition.
“That was funny,” he said. “It was like, ‘wow, it was in the cards.’ “
