By: Stella Mosby

“What’s most important for me are the welfare of students and faculty,” Mr. Waskowitz said in an interview. As principal of Seven Hills middle school Waskowitz does many things for our school to feel “safe, comfortable and cared for.” He has lots of jobs as a principal. His main priority is making this school better every day. He has been a principal at Seven Hills for fourteen years. He started off as an upper school English teacher, and was also coaching varsity sports. Before working at Seven Hills Waskowitz worked at a boarding school in Arizona, when he was working as an English teacher and realized that middle school felt like “home.” 

What brings him the most joy is still being able to work in the classroom and on the playing field. He truly loves what he does and he finds joy in helping students and co-workers grow as people themselves. 

“I love working with students and teachers to create the most enjoyable and productive learning environment,” he said in an email. Waskowitz wants to be “real” with students. It is essential to him “to understand what interests them and how to best capture their interests.”

Multiple eighth grade students said what the think about Mr. Waskowitz as a principal. “He’s really funny and he’s really nice,” said Maya Little. “I feel like he really cares about the student body,” said Santi Dreher. “He is very academically and emotionally involved in the school,” said Will Stock. Mr. Waskowitz makes it a priority to get to know all the students in the middle school.

Seventh grader Kenzie Motch described Mr. Waskowitz as “awesome!” He makes an effort to have a good relationship with students in the middle school. 

Mr. Waskowitz also rocks some fun and unique bow ties every day. “They are simple. They don’t get in my way of eating and they’re unique,” said Mr Waskowitz about his bow ties. Santi Dreher said, “They are pretty neat.” 

His life outside of school is “busy.” He has three daughters who are out of college and he stays in touch with them. In his free time he exercises, acts as a member of the Mighty Ohio Scooter Club, and goes camping. 

He’s also a great lacrosse coach. Mr. Waskowitz played lacrosse in high school and college. He coached boys varsity lacrosse at a boarding school and has been coaching middle school girls lacrosse for the past six years. Lacrosse is a sport he’s “always loved.”

Lastly, two words he used to describe middle schoolers were “quirky”and “unique.”

Quirky means characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits. 

Unique is defined as particularly remarkable, special, or unusual; being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. Kind of like his bow ties. 

Seven Hills Middle School is very lucky to have Mr. Waskowitz as a principal, teacher and friend.