Written by: Emily Marotta
C.A.S.E. Program Manager
On November 8th, I had the opportunity to participate in PENCIL (Public Education Needs Community Involvement and Leadership)’s Principal for a Day program at DuPont Hadley Middle School, a place that means a lot to me personally and professionally. As the manager of GOD International's CASE After School Program, I was especially excited to gain a closer look at what it takes to run a school and was reminded why DuPont Hadley holds such a special place in my heart.
Our CASE program’s connection with DuPont Hadley started over a decade ago, but my involvement began around 8 years ago when I first volunteered with CASE at DuPont Hadley. About a year into volunteering, I was offered a job as a site coordinator of GOD’s CASE After School Program at Hadley, a role I held for four years. My time at Hadley shaped so much of my career, and even after moving into a manager role, I often miss being on-site with the students there each day.
As Principal for a Day, I shadowed Principal Jaskoski and saw how she runs the school. One thing that stood out to me was how much effort she puts into building relationships. She visits every classroom in the morning to greet students and teachers and is in the hallways during transitions, arrival, and dismissal. On this particular Friday, I saw teachers dancing with students to the Cupid Shuffle, heard morning announcements with trivia and birthday celebrations, and witnessed a lot of energy and connection throughout the school.
A favorite part of my day was joining a class Morning Meeting. These meetings are a daily routine where students recite school mantras, check in emotionally, and talk about their goals for academics, attendance, and behavior. These moments help create a positive and united classroom culture. Principal Jaskoski told me that since starting these meetings, she’s seen a big improvement in student morale.
Another highlight was learning about Hadley’s unique approach to discipline through their student-run Hadley Court system. Students take on roles like judge, jury, and lawyers, working with teachers and staff to resolve issues in a fair and productive way. This approach values student voices and gives them leadership opportunities—a value that we share in the way we run our afterschool programs. Our programs prioritize involving students in elements such as choosing and leading activities, planning events, and setting program expectations. Students love feeling heard and knowing that their voice is valuable, and it was inspiring to see that in action at Hadley.
The Principal for a Day program wrapped up with a luncheon at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, where we celebrated the work happening across the district. It was inspiring to see so many people committed to supporting Metro Nashville Public Schools.
I want to thank PENCIL, Principal Jaskoski, and the staff and students at DuPont Hadley for welcoming me back. Our partnership with Hadley over the past 11 years has been one of the most rewarding parts of my work, and I’m excited to keep building on it in the years to come.
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