East Grand Rapids — New East Grand Rapids High School Principal Alex Schukow plans to be a fixture in the district, and in the greater community.
Expect to see him at athletic events and other occasions, not necessarily in an official capacity, but just because he’s wholeheartedly embracing his new homebase.
Family is incredibly important to him, he said, so don’t be surprised if you see him with wife, Kristen, and 7-year-old stepdaughter, Seeley Rose, in tow.
“It’s really important for people to know that, in addition to my professional career, we live really close to this community and we spend time in the community,” Schukow said. “We really want to be immersed in all things East Grand Rapids.”
After meeting Schukow when he signed on as principal of Wyoming Junior High in 2021, SNN checked back in with him ahead of his first year with East Grand Rapids.
Other positions in education:
- High school science teacher at Cesar Chavez Academy, in Detroit
- Science teacher at Monroe High School, in Monroe
- Graduate assistant in the Eastern Michigan University Physics and Astronomy Department
- Assistant principal at Monroe High School
- Assistant principal at Heritage School, the fourth- and fifth-grade building, in Saline Area Schools
- Assistant principal at Saline Middle School
- Assistant principal, and later principal, at Wyoming Junior High School
Education/degrees: Schukow has a doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University, as well as a K-12 basic administration certification, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees — both in science, and both with secondary teaching endorsements.
Describe your favorite school day in seven words or less: “Relevant learning experiences all day for everyone,” Schukow said. “If we have relevant learning happening all across the building throughout the day, that’s a great school day to me.”
What book, movie, TV show or podcast have you loved lately: “‘The Four Stages of Psychological Safety’ by Tim Clark. It’s a book that outlines different kinds of safety that can occur in an organization. They talk about everything from inclusion to being a contributor to creating what’s called ‘challenger safety,’ where people feel like they can bring up new ideas that may go against the status quo.
“When you create that kind of environment, that’s really when innovation happens. … I want to create that kind of space for educators, and certainly we want that for our students as well.”
What historical figure would you love to spend the day with? “It would be my mother’s mother — my grandmother. The reason I share that is because she actually passed away before I was born. I never got a chance to meet her. But my mother speaks so fondly of her mother.”
His grandmother, he said, was an excellent cook, who inspired many traditions and recipes that became part of his childhood. He said he’d love to meet the woman he’s heard so much about from his mom.
“If I could get into a time machine, I’d go back and meet her and spend time with her.”
‘It’s just a great honor to have the chance to lead a building in a district that has had such success in student outcomes.’
— East Grand Rapids High School Principal Alex Schukow
What ideas or strategies will you bring to East Grand Rapids High School from your previous positions? Schukow said his wealth of experience in both teaching and administration has given him a solid foundation for appreciating and understanding students’ needs.
“I wouldn’t say there’s one program per se, but I think it’s that broad experience that gives me a great lens to look at what we’re doing and how I might be able to move that forward for us,” he said.
How will you encourage student voice in your building? Schukow said elevating student voice is a core practice at the district, and something it’s working on constantly by gathering feedback and input from students. The key moving forward will be to continue to collect that input, and find the best way to implement student suggestions into school practices.
“I understand that our students have great ownership of our school. It’s a school they care deeply about,” he said. “So, for me, it’s looking at what we’re already doing well, finding additional opportunities, and how we’re acting on what they’re sharing with us. Because I think that’s the key.”
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less: “Transforming learning through systems, relationships and research.”
What drew you to East Grand Rapids? “It’s just a great honor to have the chance to lead a building in a district that has had such success in student outcomes. It’s well-known that students who attend our school perform at high levels and have great opportunities when they graduate … so the opportunity to be part of that was something that was really important to me. …
“In addition to wanting to be here, I think my professional background and experiences allow me to bring something to the table that can really help our school too.”
He added: “East felt like home, and a great opportunity. And, as a leader, I think I have something to contribute that can help us continue to grow and move forward and take whatever that next step is for us.”
Read more from East Grand Rapids:
• Healthcare leaders ask students for ideas, solutions
• Peer listeners, other mental health supports, key to school safety
