Graham's New Principal Talks School Goals

After more than a decade of working with teenagers, Terrance Dunn is making a change.

The newly appointed administrator is joining the as the principal of .

Dunn, who was hired on June 28, last worked at Conley-Caraballo High School, the alternative high school in neighboring New Haven Unified School District.

And while he has enjoyed every minute assisting teenagers get back on track, Dunn said in recent years he has developed a desire to work with younger children in order to build their education from the ground up.

He first learned of his connection to elementary-aged children when he was coordinator of elementary education during summer school at New Haven Unified.

“Just hearing [the students’] laughter and their sincerity changed my focus completely,” Dunn said.

Since mid-July, Dunn has been coordinating with former principal , preparing his office and meeting with teachers and staff at the school that sits on Cherry Street.

In 2010-11, the student enrollment of the totaled 485 students.

Dunn said he is up for the challenge of leading a school of such diversity. More than 300 of Graham’s students are Hispanic, according to statistics from the state Department of Education.

Among his top goals are building and maintaining relationships with parents and improving math and reading schools of children in grades K-3.

“I want to provide support and get those younger grades on track as early as possible,” Dunn said. “My focus is to keep the best [programs] and improve the rest.”

What he said he enjoyed most about working in alternative education was helping others transform their lives.

Education is Dunn’s second career. For 20 years, he worked in sales and purchasing but decided to go for a teacher’s credential after he took his first steps into teaching middle school for the Mount Diablo Unified School District.

“[Sales] didn’t feed my soul. It got to the point where I really needed to do something else,” he said.

On the school's website, Dunn has already written to his school community. Read his message below:

Dear Graham Community,

My name is Terrance Dunn, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as the new principal of Graham Elementary. 

Everyone I talk to has told me the same thing: Graham is a special place — a place with caring teachers, supportive staff, concerned parents, and wonderful children.

It’s going to be a very exciting year. Everyone is going to work very hard to make certain that we accomplish everything possible during each day of learning. I promise you that I will do all I can to help Graham grow.

I am looking forward to meeting parents and other members of our community. Please feel free to send me an email at tdunn@nusd.k12.ca.us or call the office after Aug. 16 to schedule a personal meeting. 

I am also interested in attending local community group events and worship services to learn more about our community, so please send me an invitation when you can.

Here’s to a great year together!