There’s a new sibling rivalry in town. Susan Sullivan has been selected as Plant City High School’s new principal. Her sister, Pam Bowden, is principal of Durant High School.
The announcement was made at a June 9 Hillsborough County School Board meeting. She will leave her position as Tomlin Middle School’s principal to take over at PCHS July 1.
“I’m excited to be in this new direction in my career,” Sullivan said. “I will look to the community for support and encouragement.”
The PCHS principal position was held formerly by Colleen Richardson, who retired at the end of the school year.
The career move is the icing on top of a school year of triumphs for Sullivan, who recently was named the Middle School Principal of the Year by the Hillsborough Council of PTA/PTSA.
“I was quite surprised,” Sullivan said about the award. “I knew PTSA had nominated me, but there are a lot of great principals in Hillsborough County. I’m very honored.”
Now Sullivan hopes to carry her achievements and standards for excellence to PCHS.
NOT-SO-NEW BEGINNINGS
For as long as she can remember, Susan Sullivan has wanted to be an educator. Her standards for success developed in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Sullivan grew up in Plant City and comes from a family of educators. Her mother was a teacher, and both of her sisters work at local schools.
Sullivan has been working in Hillsborough County since 1981 and has worked as a guidance counselor at Plant City High School.
The new job is more of a homecoming to Sullivan rather than a fresh venture.
“I’m looking forward to getting reunited with people,” Sullivan said.
She began working at Tomlin in 2001 as an assistant principal of curriculum and just completed her seventh year as principal. Although Tomlin has seen changes in both demographics and standardized testing over the years, Sullivan’s focus has and will continue to be on the students.
“The best part of my job is getting to interact with the kids and getting to know their stories,” Sullivan said. “We have great kids here. It’s not always fun, but it’s rewarding.”
She is looking forward to seeing new and former students at PCHS in the fall.
“It’s great to see the students, especially the seniors, get into colleges,” she said. “And to see them be successful.”
While at Tomlin, Sullivan put emphasis on community service. Last November, Tomlin students collected more than 13,000 pounds of canned food for the United Food Bank and raised more than $17,500 for Relay for Life. Tomlin also hosts to a variety of programs that promote accountability and healthy relationships.
Sullivan wants to continue this history of service at PCHS to make Plant City a better place overall.
“I want to provide students with hope for jobs,” she said. “Things for kids to come back to, here in Plant City.”
TOMLIN PRIDE
The list goes on and on when it comes to the programs Sullivan helped implement at Tomlin.
Sullivan brought Frameworks of Tampa Bay to the school — one of the first in the district to use this program. Frameworks provided sixth- and seventh-grade students with a one-day seminar that focused on social and emotional curriculum. The program was so successful that it will become district-wide next year, involving 46 schools.
Sullivan was awarded the Frameworks Head & Heart Award last year.
She has encouraged other social programs at the school, as well. Tomlin currently practices “Be Nice, Be Noticed,” a program that recognizes students for their positive actions.
In addition, Sullivan has embraced changes in demographics throughout the last few years. When she first started at Tomlin in 2001, Hispanic students made up 30% of the student body. Now they constitute 43%. Sullivan is proud of the relationship that the school has cultivated with these students and their families.
“To be able to reach those families, we’ve had to do some things differently,” she said.
Tomlin has hosted a Fall Family Fiesta for students and their families, and Hispanic student mentors from the University of South Florida have also encouraged students to take advantage of college and career counseling.
Sullivan said there are representatives from the Hispanic community both on the PTSA and the SAC. She believes these positive changes benefit the entire school.
“People come from all different backgrounds,” Sullivan said. “(We) teach them to be aware and respectful of that.”
HOMETOWN GIRL
Although her new job will keep her busy, Sullivan still will find time to be a leader in the Plant City community. She is involved with the praise team at First Baptist Church and taught swimming lessons for 25 years.
“I’m very loyal to this community,” Sullivan said. “Plant City is a great place to raise children and have a family.
“There are a number of things I’m proud about,” she said, also noting Tomlin’s top athletic program and the students’ generosity. “But I’m most proud of our culture, and making people feel welcome and connected to the school.”
After her success at the middle school, Sullivan is hopeful that a new leader will continue to keep Tomlin’s winning tradition.
“(The new principal) needs to have a heart for students,” Sullivan said. “They need to love Plant City and strive for excellence in all areas.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com