Worthington’s elementary principals meet monthly under director Messenheimer to align culture and standards

Rob Messenheimer, Director of Elementary Education for Worthington Schools, described a leadership approach focused on collaboration, shared standards and monthly principal meetings during a Worth the Journey podcast interview. Messenheimer said he oversees 11 elementary principals plus a preschool principal and credited the principal team with working as “part of something bigger.” He told hosts Angie Adrian and Jeff Maddox that the team discusses an “infinite list of items” at monthly meetings and that his role is to listen, support and help principals prepare for challenges coming their way. Messenheimer highlighted the district’s emphasis on both culture and standards, citing district expectations from Superintendent Dr. Bowers such as “be kind to kids and communicate, communicate, communicate, believe in growth.” He said principals must balance when to be unique at their school and when to act collectively for district consistency. The director described the principal team as collaborative, avoiding “one-upping” and sharing practices so the district can work “together” to improve outcomes. No formal personnel actions or policy changes were announced during the podcast; Messenheimer framed his responsibilities as supporting principals through training, meetings and proactive planning.