Moffitt looks to grow career after 14 years in Winters JUSD

In a letter sent home to Winters Elementary School families on Friday, March 22 Principal Greg Moffitt announced he had submitted his letter of resignation as principal in the Winters Joint Unified School District. He plans to finish out his current role as WES Principal and will depart at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. Moffitt has served as the Principal at WES for the past five years and as this year’s Coordinator of the District’s Local Control Accountability Plan. In total he has served 14 years in the Winters JUSD with two years as the WES Assistant Principal and previously as a teacher at Winters Middle School. He taught at each grade level at WMS including classes in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Leadership and Technology. He also served as the Student Activities Director and Yearbook Adviser, and helped coordinate the Outdoor School Trip during his time at WMS. In his letter Moffitt said that since his father’s diagnosis with cancer last year he has spent time reflecting about what he wants to accomplish and what he wants his priorities to be. “This reflection has strengthened my beliefs about how we treat children and the adults that educate them, and has helped remind me of my passions and purpose as an educator. To keep learning and growing, it’s time for me to explore new opportunities,” he wrote. When asked about what types of opportunities he is looking into, Moffitt told the Express that he’s truly considering all the things he might want to do and where it will be best to continue learning, growing and making a difference. “There are days that I think about returning to the classroom and putting all I have learned about effective instruction into practice, and teaching students about reading and writing again. I loved being a classroom teacher,” said Moffitt. “There are days that I might want to work with policy makers and help shape the future of education in California and beyond. We need to address the needs of our students and the staff that support them. There are other days I think that it would be great to be a site administrator in another District to see how things might be done differently. I have had the true fortune of working in Winters for the past 14 years, but sometimes you need to move away from a place you love in order to learn and grow.” Winters JUSD Superintendent Todd Cutler told the Express that Moffitt has done an amazing job during his time in the district and he’s been incredible at building relationships and has made a real impact. “We’re thankful for the time he’s given to the district and the impact he’s had on both the schools and our community,” said Cutler. “We’re supportive of him and his next steps in his career and excited to see where his future takes him.” Cutler said this is a moment to celebrate the great work Moffitt has done and to be excited for him. “I’m so supportive of him doing what he needs to do for him and his future,” said Cutler. “Replacing Greg Moffitt is very difficult and challenging, but I’m committed that we find good principals and good leaders for our schools. If I don’t hire good principals it makes my job very challenging.” Moffitt’s decision to notify the district now gives them time to find a new principal for Rominger Intermediate Elementary. Cutler said Winters JUSD has already posted the position and started the process to create a new Advisory Committee tasked to select a new Rominger administrator. Cutler said there are some applicants from their process of looking for the Waggoner Principal position the team will follow up with to see if they are interested in the position. “We are fortunate to get Jennifer Kloczko for Waggoner. We have to find the best possible person for Rominger,” said Cutler. Cutler said parents and community members can send their thoughts regarding the qualities the committee should look for to him at tcutler@wintersjusd.org. Moffitt hopes that parents and students will treat the new principal like any new student or person in town. “Welcome them. Reach out to them. Include them. Any new principal will need parents and community members to stay involved and to share ideas,” said Moffitt. “Likewise, students should also share ideas, and they should tell the principal about their school and the way things are done in Winters – which is together, as a community, and for the kids.”]]>