October is Principal’s Month, a time to celebrate the leaders who make the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) schools the wonderful places they are for students to thrive and families to flourish.
This school year, we’re celebrating one of our own: Mark Gaither, Principal of Wolfe Street Academy, who is in his 20th year as Principal.
We asked Mark to reflect on his impressive, impactful tenure and do what comes naturally to leaders: make a list of his favorite things about being a principal. Known for his warmth, welcoming manner, and easy smile and for being a leader in the national community school movement, Principal Gaither put a unique spin on the assignment.
Enjoy his thoughts on what two decades of being a BCP Principal mean to him—and congratulations, Principal Gaither! We are humbled by the care you give every day to your school and BCP communities.
Not Quite A Partridge in a Pear Tree…
As the weather gets colder, and the holiday season comes upon us, I am nearly one quarter of the way through my 20th year at Wolfe Street Academy. I am not sure how it would be set to the holiday tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas, and I certainly wouldn’t want to subject anyone to me trying to sing it, but here are my Twenty Joys of Wolfe Street, one for each year of my decades serving as principal.
20. The number of years that I have been allowed to serve as the Principal of Wolfe Street Academy, something that provides me with endless challenge, great joy, and a sense of purpose.
19. The number of years we have been a community school with a full-time community school coordinator providing support for families and students in non-academic areas through large and small partnerships.
18. The number of years we have been a part of BCP who provides us with great instructional programs, helps us develop great teachers and staff, enriches our programming for students and families, and supports us (particularly this Principal) in every way.
17. Keeping in touch with our alumni even those who are 17 and older. And for any former students who are out there reading this, click on this link and let us know what you are up to: Alumni Information Form.
16. The number of whipped cream “pies” thrown at me during Pie the Principal at Wolfest, always in May. Keep an eye out on our Instagram page for the exact date.
15. The number of times I get to tell the world about the great kids and adults at Wolfe Street during any week.
14. The number of Wolfests we have held. Every now and again really bad weather or a worldwide pandemic forces us to cancel the event. But not often. When you have something to Party about, Gotta Party!
13. The average adult to student ratio in our classrooms.
12. A dozen (or more): the number of different ideas our great team comes up with when problem solving how to help a student.
11. The average number of minutes that we have to hold Morning Meeting every morning. I am constantly promising Mr. Mavias, our fantastic PE teacher, that I will get everyone out of his cafet-ori-nasium quickly so that he can start class promptly.
10. 10 X 10 = 100: the percentage of surveyed families mostly or extremely satisfied with the school. We have the best families and it is a pleasure to serve them.
9. The number of Direct Instruction reading programs that take our kids from learning their letter sounds in Prekindergarten to reading novels in 5th grade.
8. The number of steps from my office to the school-wide mindfulness room that has reduced suspensions, solved conflicts, and deepened student understandings of themselves.
7. The number of grades at Wolfe Street Academy. People keep asking for this to go even higher, but our little building is already bursting at the seams. If anyone has $30 million to build that new building, let me know.
6. The number of letters in CHAMPs that allows all of our community members to make good choices throughout the day.*
5. The number of public art projects outside of our school. Our oldest piece, Peely Wheely, a sculpture by Towson artist Jim Paulsen, was installed in 1978 and restored in 2024. Two community mosaic projects created and installed by the students and Baltimore Mosaic Makers that celebrate our aspirations and our community. The decorated Community Canoe Bird Garden completed in collaboration with Patterson Park Audubon Society. And our newest piece, the still-to-be-named mural on our playground that celebrates our diversity and joy.
4. All of our 4-year-old new students in Prekindergarten. Every year these students start off their formal educational careers with us. Their hopes and challenges and joy has renewed my own each year for the past 20 years.
3. Offering 3 different resources – Fine Art, Physical Education, and Computer Science – to every student, multiple times a week, helping students expand their understanding of the world, their capabilities, and the tools they can use to explore both.
2. My Front Office Staff – Ms. Jones and Ms. Chicas – who are the wonderfully welcoming first faces for visitors, families, students, and staff each day, and who make me a better principal.
And finally,
1. The One and Only Wolfe Street Academy. One home for many people. One purpose, to help others.
It really is a great place. Take it from a 20-year veteran. Come by and visit sometime.
*CHAMPS is an acronym to guide students in conversation about better decision making and interactions:
- C – Conversation – what is the noise level 0 to 5
- H – Help – what do you do if you need help
- A – Activity – what is the activity we are going to do
- M – Movement – how much movement is okay during this activity
- P – Participation – What does full participation look like
- S – Success – These things will lead to success at the activity
