Meet Dr. Eugea

Q; What was your job/position before an assistant principal at CHS? 

A; Before being an assistant principal at CHS, I was a K-8 elementary principal of a small rural school in Southern Illinois. There were only 115 students in my whole building. 

Q; Why did you decide to work at CHS?

A; I had heard so many amazing things about CHS, and my neighbor and friend, Mrs. Kettler, has always spoken so highly of the students and staff, so when I was looking to make a change to gain high school experience, CHS was definitely at the top of the list.

Q; What is your favorite part about your job?

A; My favorite part about the job is the people. I love getting to know and work with our students and teachers. My background is in curriculum and instruction, so I love being in classrooms to see what our students are learning and how they are learning it.

Q; How do you balance your life and your work at CHS?

A; Finding a balance has always been tricky, especially when starting a new position. Being part of such an amazing admin team has made it easier. Everyone on our team is great about stepping up and helping so that we can all keep our families as a priority while still being our best at CHS.

Q; What has impressed you the most about CHS students and/or faculty?

A; One of the things that immediately stood out to me, even during my interview, is the pride and passion every person has for being a Kahok. It is much more than simply working at or attending Collinsville school. It becomes a part of who you are as a person.

Q; What motivates you about your job?

A; My biggest motivators are our students and staff; what we do in public education matters and has the ability and power to improve our world.
 

Q; How would you describe CHS culture?

A; There is something so special about CHS’s culture, and I don’t know if it can be fully realized until it is experienced. The Kahok culture is one of pride, dedication, and passion.

Q; What are some challenges you’ve faced with your job?

A; While every day is different and presents new challenges, the most consistent challenge I face is tardies, and I am open to thoughts and suggestions on how to improve it. 

Q; What do you hope to accomplish this year at CHS?

A;  To build positive relationships with students and staff

Q; In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good high-school assistant principal?

A; While many qualities make a good high school principal, several attributes are most important. First, a high school principal must be an excellent communicator, including expressing ideas but also listening to ideas. Most of the day is spent interacting with students, teachers, parents, and the community, so excellent communication skills are necessary. Second, a good high school principal is adaptable. Many situations during the day require the ability to think outside the box and be flexible with their thinking in order to understand. Finally, a good principal must be courageous. Being an administrator often requires us to make tough decisions, and tough decisions usually mean someone will be unhappy. It takes courage to hear all sides and decide what is best. It is one of the main reasons I ask myself daily and usually hourly, “What is best for kids?”. I want all of my courageous decisions to be guided by what is best for students and their learning.