We sat down with High School Principal Marcus Puccioni to get to know him before the school year begins!

How would you describe your leadership style?
As a leader, I think it’s very important to prioritize relationships. I do my best to always make sure my team feels supported by making myself available and being willing to listen. I also pride myself on being consistent, decisive, and a good communicator. Education is no one person’s responsibility, so fostering a collaborative environment is important to me.

What are your top priorities for this year?
My goal is to continue supporting and facilitating the great work already underway at Greenville High School. I plan to begin the year by addressing areas of improvement that were highlighted in stakeholder surveys and in my conversations with parents, students, faculty, and staff. By forming relationships early on and setting clear expectations, I aim to promote a positive climate and culture that will help our students succeed.

What are you most excited for in your new role?
I’m excited to be in a school where I’ll get to know every student that passes through our halls. I’m looking forward to getting involved with student groups like FFA and the Clay Trap Team, and seeing the great work happening in our classes, especially in the Ag hallway.

What do you think makes a great high school experience?
Participation. I think it’s important for students to find something that they connect with and want to engage in. Especially if a student is feeling disconnected, I would encourage them to take a chance and join an activity or group. It may feel outside of their comfort zone, but it can also create a stronger sense of belonging. Being a teenager is tough, and trying something new is tough, but getting involved can make a big difference.

How will students have a voice in your leadership?
I value student feedback and opinions and try to be sure to include them in decisions. In my years as a principal, I’ve looked for different ways to get students involved in the decision-making process. Focus groups and Principal Council groups, as well as utilizing existing student organizations with varying perspectives, have been the most effective in my experience. I’m looking forward to figuring out what works best for our students, hearing what they have to say, and working together to find solutions.

How do you build trust with faculty, staff, students, and families?
Honesty, transparency, and consistency are key components of building trust. I think people appreciate a leader and teammate who is fair across the board, and that quality helps ensure trust as well.

What do you think is Greenville’s greatest strength?
The community. When I shared with friends and colleagues that I would be starting in Greenville this year, everyone spoke about what a strong school Greenville is, and how it’s backed by an even stronger community. As someone new to this team, I appreciate the unwavering commitment to students and the people who work to continuously strengthen this supportive community.

Where is there room for growth at GHS?
As a school, I think there are always ways we can be better, which is why we should never stop growing. Looking at the data, I see room for growth in two key areas. The first is in behavioral outcomes - we need to focus on meeting the high expectations our students deserve. By addressing issues like attendance, our distraction-free initiative, and vaping, I’m confident we can create a more positive and safe learning environment. The second area that we can grow is in our academic outcomes; we can improve how we support our teachers and students to ensure they reach their highest potential.

How are you preparing for the new school year?
We’re only a few weeks away from the start of school, and I’ve been hitting the ground running by meeting with different stakeholders and getting to know various groups, committees, colleagues, and departments. I’ve also been reviewing past improvement plans and data, and having conversations to set reasonable expectations and attainable goals for the beginning of the school year.

What do you like to do outside of work?
When I’m not at work, I enjoy being outdoors - horseback riding, beekeeping, hiking and camping, and spending time with family.