Twainna Calhoun knew she wanted to be in education since she was 5 years old when she was at home teaching her dolls.
She never veered from that goal, earning her Elementary Education degree from Grambling State University and making various stops at elementary schools across Ouachita Parish in her first 10 years in education.
It was all by design – her design. But when the opportunity came to jump to the middle school level, it caused Calhoun to pause.
“I thought, ‘Really?’” Calhoun recalled. “’Is this where I’m supposed to be?’ I probably wouldn’t have it any other way with the way my career has gone.”
Calhoun spent the past 18 years as principal at Good Hope Middle School, a place she called home. Her oldest daughter Lauren, now 20 years old, still has a scar on her leg from where she hit Calhoun’s desk as a toddler while teetering around her office.
“That became home to me,” Calhoun said. “We were literally a family. Good Hope raised my kids.”
So when the Central Office opened the door for another opportunity as personnel supervisor, Calhoun had to pause again. There were few things that could make Calhoun leave “home” but after being around middle school students for 18 years, she could only put it into one phrase.
The job duties as personnel supervisor “was her jam, as the kids say”.
“To know me is to know I am a relationships person,” Calhoun said. “I was a Principal of the Year state finalist in 2017. That allowed me to make new friends across the state, then I was assigned Board of Directors. I was on the Board of Directors for Louisiana Association for Principals, then I was named Board of Directors for National. I’ve been to the Capitol, advocating for schools and for principals and being that voice for when they need it.”
Calhoun is the first person to hold the title of personnel supervisor. The newly created position will assist personnel director Jason Thompson. Some of her primary responsibilities include leading Compass evaluations for teachers and principals and conducting new principal and new teacher initiations.
“Sometimes you need other principals to say, ‘I’ve been there. I’ve done that. Let me help guide you through this,’” Calhoun said. “When I talked to Mr. Guice about it, I said, ‘That’s exactly what I want to do.’” I felt like God was saying, ‘I’m moving you’”.
Calhoun’s position could not come at a better time. Ouachita Parish is entering the 2023-24 school year with the largest total of new principals it has seen in a while – 10 to be exact. Then, there will be the domino effect of filling the roles under them, and more new teachers to come. In addition to being a relationship person, Calhoun feels her time as a teacher and principal will translate to the new hires even more.
“It has prepared me,” Calhoun said. “I’ve just always been of support. That’s one reason why I think Good Hope didn’t have a lot of turnover because I was really keen on our teachers building relationships with each other.”
Since moving to the Ouachita Parish School Board Office, Calhoun sees the same family atmosphere she felt at Good Hope. It’s just another place to call home.
“The Central Office is here for support,” Calhoun said. “It’s a team … a family approach. Pick up the phone and say, ‘I’ve got a problem’. Being a school leader is not black and white, so you just need help sometimes with the decision-making. I’m not going to make the decision for you, but I can give you some insight. I’ve seen a lot in 18 years. We’re your safety net. My primary goal for principals and teachers and residents and mentors is to know I am here for them in all respects."
THE CALHOUN FILE
1995-2001 – A.L. Smith Elementary, Teacher
2001-2002 – Swartz Elementary, Teacher
2002-2003 – Riverbend Elementary, Assistant Principal
2003-2005 – Shady Grove Elementary, Assistant Principal
2005 – Robinson Elementary, Principal
2005-2023 – Good Hope Middle School, Principal
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