Greeting students with a sparkle in her eye and a relentless grin, Principal Tiffany Genton stands at the center of Maize Elementary's warm and vibrant community, a beacon of compassion amid the cheerful chaos of school life. According to a Columbus City Schools publication, she's been steering the school ship since 2018. Her philosophy is always students first, making every effort to ensure that parents can sleep peacefully, knowing their kids are in safe hands.
Her approach is hands-on; she doesn't just lead, she laughs, she dances, she cares, and somehow she manages to address the individual needs of her staff and the 342 students that bustle down the school's halls. "I may not be able to impact all 342 students each day, but I can try to lift up my staff. If I take care of the staff, they’ll take care of the kids," Genton told Columbus City Schools.
In her school, the evidence of this collective growth approach is clear, and Genton's zest for education is shared equally among her students and staff, from the kindergartner who appreciates her principal's assistance to the fifth grader reluctant to move on, fearing the loss of such an exceptional educational experience. "The most exciting thing as a building leader is to see one of your seeds grow," Genton expressed her enthusiasm in an interview, for those "CCS apples" seem to be both a metaphor for and a tribute to the growth she fosters among her charges. Her students recognize her efforts, with a fourth grader extending his gratitude, "She is the best principal ever, and I just want to say thank you. You have the best smile, and you have warm hugs!" proudly stated by a young Maize Elementary pupil, as reported by the Columbus City Schools publication.
