Comfortable in the hallways of any school, new eighth- and ninth-grade Assistant Principal Brian Dorn is identifying well with the new roof over his head here at Pine View.
With previous experience as Booker Middle School Assistant Principal for four years, Dorn came into the Pine View hiring process with a fairly strong background. However, the application and acceptance system for administrators in Sarasota County is quite strenuous. “The interview process is intimidating to anyone,” Dorn said. To apply for an administrative position, Dorn was required to enter the Administrative Pool, a collection of applicants who are permitted to apply for certain administrative positions in the county. Once entered, candidates must undergo two one-on-one interviews with superiors in the education system and a complete a written application to prove competency. Once qualified for the Administrative Pool, only then are the potential administrators permitted to apply for the various positions available.
Once the application for employment is submitted, another interview follows. In Dorn’s interview, Pine View’s Principal was present, along with the Principal of Venice High School, the principals of Sarasota High School and Booker High School, the Director of Human Resources and the director of Secondary Education.
Dorn was hired in the first week of July and dove head first into his responsibilities as Assistant Principal. His main concerns were technology, construction and becoming acculturated with Pine View before the beginning of the new school year. Dorn dealt with a similar construction project during his time at Booker Middle School, and he plans on using his previous experience to complete this project. Dorn said, “Pine View is different from other schools I have worked at because there is a strong love of learning across the whole student body.”
From a family background of educators, Dorn has found his niche in facilitating learning. His wife, Janel Dorn, held the position of eighth- and ninth-grade Assistant Principal but has now become Principal of Sarasota Middle School. “I came to Pine View looking to expand my knowledge base,” Dorn said, “I love working with children in any aspect.”