WINONA, Minn. — A veteran math teacher who became assistant principal at Winona High School this fall, Jacob Feldman, sees continuity as key to helping students through unsettled times like the coronavirus pandemic. “During this time of uncertainty and unrest, one of the best things I bring is some consistency and continuity,” Feldman said in a wide-ranging interview about being assistant principal. Behind the scenes, however, he said, administrators have needed to be more creative than ever, both in solving problems and in supporting students and staff. “Doing the exact same things we did pre-pandemic just doesn’t work,” he said. “Our needs are different, and our world is different. We need to be much more aware of the struggles people are having, especially when it comes to mental health. These are stressful and troubling times, and everyone deals with these things very differently.” Feldman feels he’s settled easily into being assistant principal. He had taught 16 years, the last 10 at Winona High. “I know a lot of our history, what has worked, what hasn’t worked, and why certain things are the way they are,” he said. “This allows me to continue supporting our strengths as well as knowing what our biggest needs are in terms of areas of improvement.”
Feldman. Prides himself on “a listening ear” and partnering in creative problem solving.