With the start of the 2021-2022 school year, Stephen Decatur High School welcomes new assistant principal Jennifer Garton.

After spending time at Pocomoke Middle School and Berlin Intermediate School, Garton first came to Stephen Decatur as a curriculum resource teacher and testing coordinator. She then went back to Berlin Intermediate School as an assistant principal for a few years before finally coming back to Decatur as an assistant principal. She replaces outgoing Assistant Principal Kathy Cater, who retired at the end of the last school year.

When asked about seeing students from her time at Berlin Intermediate now here at Decatur, Garton said that it is one of her favorite parts of the job. She enjoys students approach her in the hallway and ask her “Do you remember me?”

“Usually, I can pull out the name from my memory – sometimes they stump me.” Garton said, “That’s the best part.” She also mentions that it is sometimes difficult to recognize some of the students with their masks on.

Her main role as an administrator is the master schedule and making sure that what the students want to take is what the school is offering. She also works with the special education department to try to fit the needs of the variety of students at Decatur.

Garton also works with the testing office. “It’s important to have a second set of eyes on everything because it’s so critical to our students to make sure they’re taking care of those graduation requirements,” she said, “having those environments so that they can really concentrate on their tests so they can get the best outcome.”

After the many restrictions put in place from COVID-19, Garton said she’s looking forward to getting things back to normal. However, she also understands that for that to happen, we might still need to wear masks – and she’s willing to do so if it means students can enjoy the events and gatherings of a normal school year.

“I can’t wait for the pep rally in a couple of weeks, can’t wait for prom in the spring, to see everybody,” she said. “Just marking those milestones in your lives, and when you’ve seen students grow up from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade until now – it’s a big deal and it’s really neat to watch you all experience (that).”

Garton enjoys living on the Eastern Shore and calls it her home despite not growing up here.

“I just love this area, love living here. The beach is my home,” she said. “I didn’t grow up here so I’m not as fortunate as all of you are, but I knew from when I was little that this is where I wanted to be.”