Grand Rapids — Connection is key for Amena Moiz, the interim principal of Burton Middle School.
Moiz counts relationships — both with students and staff — as one of the most essential aspects of her job.
“Relationships are very important, and (so is) creating a sense of belonging for students through that relationship-building,” Moiz told SNN. “Along with that comes trust, and trying to grow that sense of community that we’d like our students to have.”
Though she’s serving in an interim capacity during her first year with Grand Rapids Public Schools, Moiz plans to stay with the district, and hopes to turn her posting at Burton into a permanent one.
Around the midway point of her first year with the district, Moiz spoke to SNN about her new position and what administration means to her.
Other positions you have held in education: “This is my 25th year in education; 11 of those were primarily in middle school. I was a science teacher. The last 15 have been in administration, whether it’s as assistant principal or principal.”
Much of her career was spent working in inner-city schools in Flint, Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Detroit. Prior to arriving at GRPS, she worked with Forest Hills Public Schools as the assistant principal, and later the principal, of Forest Hills Northern High School.
‘Relationships are very important, and (so is) creating a sense of belonging for students through that relationship-building.’
— Burton Middle School Principal Amena Moiz
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s in education, University of Michigan-Flint
- Master’s in early childhood education, University of Michigan-Flint
- Master’s in educational leadership and administration, Central Michigan University
What book, movie, TV show or podcast have you loved lately? Moiz particularly enjoyed reading “Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World” by Laura James. In the memoir, the author — who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as an adult — details her experiences as a child, when the medical community didn’t entirely understand her condition.
What historical figure would you love to spend the day with? “Eleanor Roosevelt. And the reason behind that is that she was a huge advocate of human rights for any population, especially underprivileged (populations). … She just advocated for them.
“I admire all the different hurdles she had to overcome in order to do what she wanted to do.”
What drew you to Burton? “My love of just teaching middle-schoolers. I really enjoy their company and their craziness, their innocence and their adventures, and their attitudes right before they’re going to high school.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? Moiz confessed that working in administration was not, initially, part of her plan. In fact, she didn’t even consider it until someone else presented her with the idea.
Fifteen years ago, she received an unexpected text message from one of her former Flint-area administrators asking if she’d be interested in an assistant principal position.
“That was never something I was striving for,” Moiz said. “(But) it was an adult that noticed something about me and thought I’d be prosperous in this position. That’s the only reason I’m here.”
Moiz took the position, shifting to administration, and she’s glad she did.
Her favorite part of the work?
“Watching teachers be successful as they’re learning new strategies or different pedagogy of how children learn. … And being able to adapt and bring something to life in a classroom where students are engaged.”
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