Q&A with Jeff Dobbins, new Beach School principal
Fort Myers resident Jeff Dobbins was tapped to fill the position of principal after long-time school administrator Larry Wood retired in June. Dobbins, a Michigan native, has been working in the Lee County School District for almost 34 years. He taught gifted and exceptional student education (ESE) classes before working at the district level as a staffing specialist for the ESE department. But, he wanted to get back to the schools – and began working in administration for Orangewood Elementary and Villas Elementary. Both schools had larger student bodies, with 1,110 and 800 students, respectively. With about 110 at Fort Myers Beach Elementary, Dobbins said he’s looking forward to a closer staff and student body relationship. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 10.
What is your leadership style?
It all revolves around being a team. I don’t make decisions by myself. I feel very fortunate to work at a great school. It already has a great team in place.
What brought you to the Beach School, and what excites you to be here?
There was an opening here, and I liked the idea of working with a small school and a small faculty. At the school, that’s where you have the most impact. It’s been a very welcoming place. When I walk in the door it feels like home. With a smaller school, I will be able to have more contact with the teachers and kids. I can get into the classrooms.
Larry Wood was at the school for 10 years. What have you been doing to prepare to take over his role?
I came out and spent time with the teachers this summer, met them individually, to get to know them and ask them about themselves, how their kids did last year, how they like to be recognized.
The biggest part was to interview the staff. I’m here to complement them, not be an agent of change.
What are some of your goals for the coming year, and how will you accomplish them?
I have so many. But number one is to get the know the community and the impact they have at the school. Number two, continue to instill a love of learning in the students. Three, be supportive of the teachers – recognize them for great achievements, give them strategies to be more successful and be a support mechanism for them in the classroom.
What do you do outside of school?
I go to the gym, love to travel, and spend time with my dog Covey.
I’m an avid reader. My favorite author is James Patterson, because when he writes a book I can see it happening as I read it. I try to model reading for the students… because everything we do in life requires you to read – even an owner’s manual or math computations.