“I hired Kamilah for her energy and passion for kids being the absolute center of her world"

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Middle school is known to be a tough time for students as they face new schools with a new set of rules for how to act, both socially and academically, and it’s also tough because puberty causes different abilities and different maturity levels. But, Kamilah O’Connor, the new principal at John Knight Middle School, knew this.

Serving as Assistant Principal at a middle school in Los Angeles before coming to Dixon, O’Connor’s long career in education prepared her for this. She always wanted to work in big cities and in “tough, tough areas” and has"'including Houston, Texas, for seven years before LA. But Dixon has changed that.

The O’Connors had driven to UC Davis then San Francisco for college visitations with their eldest daughter when they stopped briefly at the Dixon Starbucks. Her husband said that he could see her working in a town this size, but she dismissed the notion...until the principal’s job opened on her school newsfeed. O’Connor wanted to be closer to her daughter who had chosen a university in San Francisco. She decided to apply.

She said to her husband, “Remember that itty bitty town we stopped in...”

Fast forward to Dixon Unified School District Superintendent Brian Dolan recommending O’Connor after three layers of interviews and extensive records checks.

“There was a great deal of diligence and attention. It is so crucial we need to know who is leading our schools,” said Dolan. “I hired Kamilah for her energy and passion for kids being the absolute center of her world. She knows learning and she knows instruction plus she has great curriculum experience,” he said.

After interviewing with Dolan, O’Connor’s opinion about small towns began to change.

“I felt he could help me begin my career as a Principal,” she explained. “We’re starting a whole new school. What I love about this school is that you can feel the history in its bones. If you go into the A Wing and walk along the long hall, you can look up and see the original history in the beams. Or, you can go into the band room, open the cabinets, and see names of students from decades ago.”

When school opened, she noted that most students seemed to really want to be there.

“We’ve already had a couple tough situations but so far, the students appreciate being around people again and are excited to get busy in class and get started in clubs, too,” she said.

Her daily routine begins with greeting students at the door.

“It is the best part of my day,” she said. “I look into their eyes and ask how they are doing. What’s surprising is they also ask me how I’m doing. They seem to genuinely care about others. They are constantly checking on me as a principal just like I’m checking in with them.” She thinks that’s a “Dixon thing” because, she explained, “I’ve never experienced that before.”

O’Connor also takes time to walk around at the lunch break to talk with students about their “pandemic life.”

“Some have the funniest stories but not everyone made it through okay,” she said. “Some experienced trauma. They’ve lost people and seen their family members get sick. Some worried about their next meal because their parents lost jobs.”

She spoke of the helpfulness of the Wellness Center which are at some of the Dixon schools and are part of the District’s efforts to support students with their social-emotional and mental health needs. Students have the opportunity to use the rooms to refocus, address negative or stressful feelings, and develop coping skills with the support of a staff member. Each room has been set up with furniture and other accessories that provide a calming environment.

Another first for the middle school is a School Resource Officer.

“This is the biggest bang for our buck,” she said. “So far, it’s been very successful"'something about his presence but also when we call, he responds. There are consequences for the students and the important thing is what happens after that consequence. The partnership is amazing. There are disciplinary consequences in suspension and we meet with that student upon returning and discuss what things can’t happen,” she added.

Dolan commended O’Connor’s training formerly as a Vice Principal in Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS).

“That’s being able to support students via a shift to building a positive environment for students,” he explained. “I’ve seen her positive work.”

For more information on John Knight Middle School at 455 East A Street, call (707) 678-6350.