The Charles Street Times would like to welcome our new principal, Dr. Clinton Grant. He will be taking the place of Dr. Gitz, who is now the principal at Great Neck South High School. Prior to joining the LHS community, Dr. Grant was the principal at Amityville Memorial High School. His first role as an administrator began during 2005 in Uniondale. He held the position of assistant principal there for 10 years. He was born in Jamaica and has lived here for over 20 years. Dr. Grant earned his Bachelor and Master of Arts from Hofstra University. At the college of New Rochelle he received a professional diploma in administration and supervision. He also received a doctorate from St. John’s University. Dr. Grant is excited to work with us here in the Lindenhurst community. He wishes to provide students with the opportunity to actualize their dreams. The Charles Street Times welcomes him with open arms. I asked a few teachers how they feel about our new principal. Mrs. Vona said, “He is very personable, easy to talk to, and I’m anxious to see how he will do.” I asked  Mr. Smawley what changes he would like to see. He told me, “He hopes to see continuous support of academics.”

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Grant to learn a bit more about him. He told me that his transition from Amityville to Lindenhurst has been wonderful. Change isn’t always easy, but the support system has been great. I was curious to know about the difference at his school compared to here. He says that the atmospheres and the way people go about things vary from school to school. In every school he finds that, “Students and their needs are the same everywhere.” Not only has he switched over from a warrior to a Lindy Bulldog, but he is also going from an AP to principal. He joked, saying that the biggest realization was being “it”. He can no longer use the phrase “speak to the principal.” Instead of being assigned certain things he had to take care of, now there are many more responsibilities to tackle.   Dr. Grant is very excited to experience our homecoming this Saturday. He feels it’s a wonderful way to bring the town together. He is also looking forward to future events such as games, theater productions, and school concerts. The International Festival is one he is especially thrilled to see.

Celebrating diversity and different cultures is very important. Dr. Grant is from Jamaica and moved to the U.S. to further continue his studies. It was when he was in the sixth grade that he met the teacher that would inspire him to become an educator as well. She demonstrated how important it is to care for students. He attended an impoverished school that both wealthy and poor children went to. In that classroom you never knew which walk of life the children had come from, but Dr Grant’s teacher always treated them as equals. “If a student didn’t have lunch she’d give them something to eat. If their uniform was torn she’d sew it for them,” he recounted. At the end of high school, he wanted to be a chef. He had received two letters. One would lead him on a path of culinary arts and the other would lead him to being our school principal. He choose to study education and went into a guidance program. When he began studying in the U.S, he decided to change to history. It had always been his forte. Moving to a new country is never easy for a person. Adjusting was not as difficult for him with his aim of earning a degree in mind. Going from a strict school system to a more relaxed one is where he encountered his culture shock; student’s wearing flip flops to class was one of the many the shocks for him. Studying in the U.S. he experienced many things beyond what he had ever seen. He further pursued his education in a way he hopes students here will continue after their time in high school.

Sometimes we forget that principals have lives outside of school as well. Dr. Grant enjoys reading comics and has a bit of a collection. I was surprised to learn that Dr. Grant also teaches Sunday School. He works with high school students there which gives him even more insight on young people. He also has a seven year old daughter in the second grade. Together they have tea parties, play with dolls, and go on bike rides. He has a wonderful wife who is a teacher. He believes he is very blessed and fortunate. Mrs. Kelly and I were very fortunate to sit down and learn more about Dr. Grant. We wish him the best of luck!