Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Redwood Middle School principal Christopher Farmer clowns around with a group of students getting a chuckle over baby pictures after school.

England native is named new Redwood principal

By Michelle Alaimo

Christopher Farmer has decided that Saratoga is a great place to get back in touch with children. Farmer was named the new principal of Redwood Middle School in late October after serving three months as the school's interim principal.

Mary Gardner, superintendent of the Saratoga Union School District, says Farmer was a perfect match for the school and that the community and faculty instantly respected him. And Farmer had high praise for the Saratoga community. "One thing that attracted me to this place is the commitment of the staff to the students," Farmer said. "I see this as being a wonderful personal and professional opportunity, not as a stepping-off point."

The one-time superintendent of schools for the Coventry School District in England has a strong portfolio and a wide variety of educational experiences behind him. He has served as program director for the Coventry School District; head of the geography faculty; director of studies and housemaster for grades 6 through 9; and head of the senior student center at Staunton High School. He was also a teacher for nearly 15 years for grades 6 through 12 in geography, English and history at several different English schools.

In addition, Farmer has been published in numerous education journals and has been an honorary member of the Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts since 1988.

Although Farmer is well recognized in England, he decided to give it up for personal happiness. In May 1994, Farmer married Colleen Wilcox, supertintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education, and moved to California, settling in Los Gatos in January 1995. Since coming to the states, Farmer has worked as an adjunct lecturer at both Santa Clara University and San Jose State University.

When former Redwood Middle School principal Richard Derby retired earlier this year, Gardner said she put the word out through various resources that an interim position was available. Then, when the SUSD board began its search for a new principal, Farmer was one of 15 people who applied for the position, Gardner says.

She adds that one advantage Farmer had, besides his extensive résumé, was that the board had actually seen him in action as interim principal. "He was a very strong candidate," Gardner said, adding, "We are very fortunate to have him."

Farmer says he looks forward to getting to know the children at Redwood.

"One of the good things about being principal is that you're a lot closer to the children and learning," he says. Farmer points out that he enjoys the immediate feedback he receives from students.

Farmer says he has no immediate plans for any changes at the school because he is still in the learning process. But he says he keeps one thing in mind at all times, and that is his reason for being here: the children and the possibilities in every child.

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