One of the best ways to help children thrive is to meet them with a bit of empathy, and Courtney Waters is no stranger to many of the experiences and challenges her students face. She grew up in the same North Shore community she now serves, was bullied by her own peers, faced financial hardships at home and was not afraid to take matters into her own hands.  

In the six years she’s served as principal of Highpoint School, her mission has always been to build relationships with her population of troubled and adjudicated youth to help them catch up academically, learn to regulate their behavior, and see their potential in life.  

“I tell my students all the time, ‘You are not your circumstances. You are not your environment. You still have the autonomy to make better choices,’” Waters explained. “I see past my students’ mistakes, tell them I love them and that they are awesome people who will be impactful citizens one day. I don’t want them to let their past determine their future, so I keep pouring that message into them. It’s more than words to me – it’s the truth.”  

In honor of National Principals Month, the Communications and Creative Services team sat down with Waters to learn more about the experiences that shaped the empathy she exudes daily, her belief in second chances for her students and her mission to break down the misconceptions about alternative disciplinary education.