Tamika Little, principal of Theodore Davis Middle School, describes her leadership approach

Tamika Little, principal of Theodore Davis Middle School, introduced herself and described her path into education and her approach to leading students and staff.

Little said she began her career in North Carolina as a seventh-grade English teacher after transitioning from a registrar role at an art museum that focused on children’s programs. She said she took a nontraditional route to teacher certification and later moved to Charles County after getting married, where she has worked for more than 20 years.

Little described a progression through school leadership roles, saying she has served as an assistant principal and a high-school principal before returning to middle-school leadership. She emphasized the lasting influence middle-school educators can have on students’ lives.

“When you lead in love and when you lead with responsibility and you lead in kindness, it lasts,” Little said, adding that former students have returned as adults and thanked staff for disciplinary decisions they initially resisted. She used the anecdote to illustrate the long-term value she places on firm but caring leadership: “you’re going to thank me for this, and now I see what you were saying.”

Little said her focus is helping the community she serves and passing that commitment on to students, calling that the purpose of her role.

The remarks in the transcript do not specify the meeting venue, the date of appointment, or additional next steps regarding school programs or administrative changes.