Sarah Ford | Sonoma Sun —
Having served last year as a vice principal at Sonoma Valley High School (SVHS), Molly Kiss is now the principal, presented with both challenges and new opportunities. She came here from San Francisco Unified, where she was a counselor, and then a vice principal.
Because she was a counselor at a small high school, she had opportunities to “take on a lot of leadership,” she said. Kiss then became an assistant principal at San Francisco’s Galileo High School, where one of her contributions was to ensure students had access to counseling.
After Kiss had her son in 2020, her family moved to Petaluma, where she worked remotely. When the time came to go back in person, she looked for opportunities closer to home, and found herself at SVHS.
Kiss feels her counseling background has helped her, in her administrative roles, to address students’ social-emotional needs. Being an administrator, she said, is often about listening to what people need, and navigating different groups – teachers, staff, students, families. “Even when you can’t give them the exact resolution they want, you can make sure they feel heard, and you can let them know what steps you can take.”
Kiss says this year was about hitting reset, coupled with having “high expectations, but also high support. For example, if a student wants to know the reason behind a rule, you take the time to explain it, and ask if they have additional ideas for how we can address the concern.”
Kiss grew up in Portland, Oregon, with a close-knit, extended family. “My mom always encouraged me to go out of state for college, so I could see something different.” She started studying marketing at USF, and during her sophomore year, a course on Philosophy of Race inspired her to switch her major to sociology. As she put it, “I found my niche.”
She liked learning about different systems in society, and the impact teachers can have on how students learn norms, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to be a teacher. She got an internship with Upward Bound, a group that works with students who are low income or are the first in their family to go to college, and served as a college advisor and SAT prep teacher. She soon realized she loved working with students. Then, after shadowing some school counseling classes, she knew it was “absolutely what I wanted to do.”
One of the first things Kiss did at SVHS was to reach out to teachers and staff to learn “what they felt strongly about.” Committees formed over the summer to help jump start the new school year now comprise the school’s Culture and Climate Committee.
“One big change we’ve seen,” Kiss said, “is that I hear from students and staff that they feel really happy to be here. That’s the biggest thing you can do as a leader, create an environment that feels positive. That’s what motivates students to attend and helps combat many discipline issues.”
In the past, vandalism in the bathrooms was a significant problem at SVHS, a situation that is getting much better, Kiss said, thanks to a digital bathroom pass system. “It’s really helped create accountability.” The administration also responds promptly to any reports from students, and any vandalism is cleaned up right away. Kiss has instituted weekly Advisory lessons – last year they were monthly – covering topics from social/emotional issues to school culture.
The high school’s new pool complex, and its partnership with Sonoma Splash, will be great assets. The first home water polo match will be held there on October 6. “This will provide a great opening event for our Dragon community,” Kiss said.
Kiss has felt a lot of support from the district office. She was allocated two additional campus supervisors, who “really help us out, since it takes both administrators and campus supervisors working together to cover our large campus.”
Another change this year involves the parking lot, where students used to hang out. She has made it a priority that kids be out of their cars and out of the parking lot. “We’re there in the morning, greeting them,” she said. “And at lunch, we’re checking in with them as they leave for off-campus lunch, and checking back in with them as they return about how their day is going, and encouraging them to get to afternoon classes on time.”
Kiss is proud of the work everyone is doing together this year, moving towards common goals. Students are getting more involved, and there are over 30 clubs. Lots of students are attending games, and there is “so much positive energy on campus.”
The main ongoing focus Kiss has for the school year is making sure the positive momentum continues.
Unfortunately, Kiss will probably leave at the end of the year like the last 5 principals. The district has not done fundamental work to support administrators in the district. The last two superintendents were short term. Why? A caustic environment. Look at the turmoil board member Kelly is willing to cause on multiple subjects. The district never rids itself of the trouble makers, and staff does not last.