Web Extra!
The first finalist for the job of principal at Riverside-Brookfield High School to be publicly revealed is a face and name known well to the RB community. It is Troy Gobble, who is currently the interim assistant principal for instruction at the school.
Prior to being named interim assistant principal in June 2009, Gobble was a physics teacher and the chairman of the science department at RB. Gobble, 40, has taught at RB since 2001. Prior to coming to the school, Gobble taught at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park.
Prior to interviewing with the entire District 208 school board for about an hour over dinner last night, Gobble met with 28 teachers, staff and community members at an open forum held Tuesday afternoon. Gobble said that he views being a principal as a continuation of his career as a teacher.
“I am an educator and I want to continue to be an educator,” Gobble said.
He says he wants decisions to be data-driven.
“I intend to be the kind of principal who gets as much information about our kids and community in order to make the best decisions,” Gobble said.
Gobble also said that if he is hired he hopes to get beyond the various controversies that have erupted at RB over the past two years and make sure that RB is a student-focused institution.
“I think we need to reinvest our time in the kids,” Gobble said.
The second finalist will be revealed today at 3:30 p.m. in RB’s Alumni Lounge when members of the public will have an opportunity to meet that individual.
The third finalist will be at RB on Thursday and also meet with members of the community at 3:30 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge.
