The hallways fill with noise as interim principal Regenia Crane starts her day by greeting students with a welcoming smile. Intent on making a difference, she watches the students pass and sees their potential. She knows that by enforcing simple rules she can help them to become the best they can be. 

Because former principal Trent Dowd stepped down from his position to accept a promotion in another district, Crane stepped in to fulfill the role of interim principal for the remainder of the school year, aiming to make a positive impact. 

“I’m hoping to make the students and the teachers know that I’m here to support them,” Crane said. “I want to bring a culture of positivity and a culture of excellence. I feel like I’m introducing more structure and enforcing rules that are not old or new, but that have been in place.”

Crane said she worked at Mansfield years ago as an assistant principal, and she felt ready to return to the school after being in retirement for several years. 

“I’ve been retired for almost two years,” she said. “I chose to come back because I was an assistant principal here around 2008 for several years, so it felt like I was coming home. I just felt like this was what I needed.”

As she has had experience working as a principal for around eight years, Crane said she originally chose to become a principal because of her leadership skills and her desire to make an impact. 

“I was a principal of the Phoenix Academy and I was there for eight years,” Crane said. “I chose to become a principal because I’ve always been told that I’m a leader, and also because as a principal I can make an impact on a larger scale. I am a ‘take-charge’ kind of person.”

After Crane decided to require more professional dress from teachers and to enforce the student dress code more strictly, french teacher Allison Foster said she has seen varying reactions from both teachers and students. 

“Some teachers have been very unhappy with the change in the dress code for various reasons, while others are happy about it,” Foster said. “As for the students, I think a lot of kids are very upset because she’s enforcing the rules, but that just goes with maturity and understanding that our job is to set boundaries and guidelines. This is a professional environment so you’re supposed to dress appropriately.”

Senior Demi Johnson said she has already recognized the effort that Crane has put into the school and the students. 

“I appreciate her for coming here and stepping in,” Johnson said. “She has made a positive impact by being a principal who smiles and dresses professionally. I’ve seen her take the time to sit in my clubs and my classrooms, and I appreciate her just being present.”

Crane said she is looking forward to the rest of the school year and the opportunity to continue to interact with the students and staff. 

“I am most looking forward to the interaction and the engagement with students,” she said. “I appreciate the staff, I appreciate the students, and I just appreciate that we’re still on the road to making sure that we are the best school that we can be.”