East County welcomes new leadership

EAST COUNTY — Two longtime assistant principals will embark on a new, yet familiar, adventure this summer, as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

But, when students arrive back on campus in August, the two won’t just be assisting with administrative duties — they’ll be leading them.

Jenni Gilray, a longtime administrator at Braden River High School, has been named the school’s new principal, replacing Jim Pauley, who recently accepted a district-level position.

Taking the helm at Tara Elementary will be former Daughtrey Elementary School Assistant Principal Steve Royce. Longtime Tara Principal Dr. Linda Fouse is retiring in September and, until then, will continue working for the district, offering support for Tara and Palma Sola, as they expand to add sixth grade and also to handle data-related responsibilities for struggling schools.

About Jenni Gilray
Braden River’s new principal, Jenni Gilray, knows the Pirate family well, having opened the school as an assistant principal in 2005.

“We helped establish the culture,” Gilray said of the experience.

Gilray earned her bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University in health education and also is a certified athletic trainer.

“That was actually my career path,” Gilray said. “I was hired at Lakewood Ranch High School (in 1999) to do that. I taught (health) and English and was the head athletic trainer.”

But, during her tenure at Lakewood, Gilray said she realized she enjoyed being in the classroom but wanted to affect change on a broader scope.

“There was only so much I could (do) working with my kids,” Gilray said.

So, Gilray enrolled at Nova Southeastern University to earn her master’s degree in educational leadership.

She became an assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High a year before being hired at Braden River High as an assistant principal. Although Pauley nicknamed her “bulldog” for her disciplinary role as an assistant principal, Gilray said she trained in other areas of administration during her seven-year tenure at Braden River.

“Mr. Pauley really believes in cross-training,” Gilray said, adding those experiences helped prepare her for her new role. “I have a great administrative team. Together, we’ll have a great school year. We’re already planning (for it).”

Gilray said she plans to be consistent with instilling high expectations for students and staff and will help guide the school as it implements small changes to the curriculum, as mandated by the government.

Gilray currently is pursuing a doctorate in teaching and learning from Argosy University and is keeping busy balancing her work and educational ambitions with her family: her husband, Jake, and children, Faith, 9, and Campbell, 7.

Introducing Steve Royce
Now heading into his 18th year in education in Manatee County, Tara Elementary Principal Steve Royce couldn’t be more thrilled with his new post at Tara.

“I’m ready,” Royce said with a smile. “The passion that I’ve seen in the staff here at this school has been so encouraging. I’m (excited).”

Royce started his career as a pre-kindergarten teacher in New York. He moved in the early ’90s to Florida after being recruited to teach at a school in Miami.

There, he met his wife, Melissa. The couple married June 12, 1994, and it wasn’t long before they decided to move to Manatee County, where a friend lived.

Royce took a job teaching sixth grade at Harllee Middle School, a position he held for 13 years before becoming an assistant principal for both Palma Sola and Stewart elementary schools.

“I had this desire to get back to elementary,” Royce said of his transition. “When the position became available at Palma Sola, with my teaching and leadership experience, I felt prepared.”

Royce then spent three years as assistant principal at Ballard Elementary and one at Daughtrey, before applying for the post at Tara. The school, he said, had always been on his radar.

“I wanted to be part of that,” Royce said. “When I heard they were going to add sixth grade (which I used to teach), it seemed like a great fit.”

Royce said he hopes in the coming year to continue Tara’s tradition of academic excellence and community involvement and lead the school effectively as it transitions into a kindergarten through sixth-grade school.

“Tara has a slogan of being the best-kept secret in Manatee County,” Royce said. “I’m looking forward to changing that. It won’t be a secret any longer.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].