Leading the charge

Rico Guillory takes over as principal at MHS
Image

Rico Guillory is now principal at Mamou High School and recently shared how he continues to be a leader and what he does to help out the school.

Question: When did you first become involved in education?
Answer: I first became involved in education in 1995 as a middle school teacher after receiving my degree from McNeese State University. I have always wanted to help people, even when I was in school. It seemed like a natural progression to move into education where I felt this would be the place where I would be able to have the largest impact in my life. My wife, Leslie, and our three children, Myra, Dorian, and Alyssa, try to practice these beliefs everyday.
Question: What made you decide to become a principal?
Answer: During my first year in education, I noticed the principal of the school, Johnnie Mouton, was never too busy to not only help the students, but the community that served the school. His character showed me how I could use the character traits my parents, Joyice and Peter, planted in their eight children, to always be patient, helpful, and kind to everyone at all times, especially when they need you the most.
Question: What do you hope to get from being a principal at Mamou, and what would you enjoy about leading the students there?
Answer: By being the principal of Mamou High, along with the faculty and staff, I will keep the strong academic tradition by using Superintendent Lazard’s vision “Together we can, Together we will, One Evangeline.” I will enjoy watching the teachers push the students to continue and grow the academic success that only comes through hard work that is expected from the parents that send their students to Mamou High School.
Question: What kind of impact do you try to impart on your students as their leader?
Answer: I want the students at Mamou High to know “there is no substitute for hard work.” Our expectations is “academic excellence;” our expectations “can and will” be met by the faculty, staff, and students.
Question: What are some of the issues you see today among students — what are their worries and concerns?
Answer: Our students are faced with different obstacles and challenges that have their attention. The teachers at Mamou High will get them focused and working hard. The students are concerned with trying to get back on their scheduled classes, bus rides, athletic events, and 3:00. They are very relaxed and ready to learn this year.