Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Glenna DeSouza went to work last week on Monday as the new principal at Foster School.
DeSouza, a Salem resident, is a 1975 graduate of North Salem High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from what is now Western Oregon University, then followed that up with a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in emotional disturbance from Portland State University. In 1996, she earned her administrative certificate from George Fox University.
She has worked as an elementary teacher in grades one, two and four, plus blends. She taught at Aumsville Elementary School for a few years, and then Salem-Keizer School District called her to be a special education teacher. She worked in special education and in regular classes until she earned her administrative certification, and then she spent time as a talented and gifted coordinator and literacy leader.
In 2002, she went to work as special education director with Brookings Harbor School District. She returned to Salem-Keizer when she received an administrative position in special education and served as principal in two transition programs for students with disabilities ages 18 to 21, and also has served as an administrator for the south Salem feeder system and alternative education.
Much of her responsibility has been related to child behavior.
The Foster job is the realization of a desire she’s had for a long time, DeSouza said.
“I wanted to be an elementary principal,” she said. “That’s been my goal forever.”
She enjoys brainstorming and solving problems through teamwork, she said. “I like to think out of the box.”
With five children of her own, she said, she’s had a lot of practice.
“I really believe in working together as a team,” she said, although there are times decisions are needed right away, especially regarding safety issues. “But generally, I believe in working toward a consensus.”
At Foster, she expects to spend her first year getting to know the students, parents and the community. From the start though, she has an eye on attendance.
Looking at the school’s annual yearly progress report, she wants to figure out “what can we do to help families with attendance,” she said. “What can we do to support them?”
When students have problems, she wants to find ways to support and help them; and she wants to find ways to show students how attendance is tied to success.
DeSouza has found Sweet Home “very welcoming,” she said. “I’ve been really impressed with how people have been so helpful. It’s been very warm,” even with her being a “pest” and asking “a million” questions.
Even at places like McDonald’s, “I’ve been really impressed with the kids,” she said. “They’re helpful and they smile.”
Her husband, Steve Grosjacques, came with her to meet School Board members and visit Sweet Home. They looked around town, and he came to the same conclusions.
She hopes to move to Sweet Home after her youngest son finishes junior high in Salem next year, and she hopes to make it her long-term home.
Her children include Thomas, 24; Gina, 22; Jessica, 20; Steven, 18; and Taj, 14. The family also has a 170-pound English mastiff named Ellie, which she enjoys taking for walks.