Samo announces new house principals

Camille De BeusStaff WriterSamo administration is undergoing large changes as the four new house principals for the 2013-14 school year have been selected.The new house principals will be Weschester Enriched Science Magnets assistant principal Elias Brown, Beverly Hills High School assistant principal Kelly Tabis, who taught special education classes at Samo several years ago, Animo Locke Tech Charter High School principal Blain Watson and John Adams Middle School assistant principal Florence Culpepper.However, according to H-House Principal Leslie Wells, the principals will not be able to discuss Samo's future until the summer.Tabis said she is excited to be returning to Samo.“I absolutely loved my time teaching in Santa Monica and I am eager to engage with teachers, students and the entire community to help shape the future of our school,” Tabis said.Culpepper hopes to continue to encourage students to look at the possibilities that their futures hold.“I have high expectations for students and a strong belief that all students are capable of achieving any short or long-term goals they set for themselves,” Culpepper said. “Some students just need more guidance and support than others.”According to a press release, Watson wants to bring an unwavering belief in all students’ potential to succeed and the priority to put students first to Samo.Wells remembers working alongside Tabis when she was a special education teacher at Samo.“I thought highly of her then and I anticipate that she’ll be a welcome addition to the faculty,” Wells said.As a result of the new house principals, students will have to make adjustments.“Except for the current students in my house, all other students will be working with new principals,” Wells said. “I anticipate that the ‘culture’ of some of the houses may change.”cdebeus@thesamohi.com