If there’s one thing Oxford Academy’s new Assistant Principal Mr. Griffin aspires to be, it’s a “snowball of positivity.” Departing from his role as Assistant Principal of Western High School, the experienced administrator is now responsible for managing athletics, activities and facilities at Oxford. As he ventures into this new chapter of his career, Mr. Griffin hopes his positivity will snowball, uplifting the Oxford students and faculty who motivate him in his work.
While Mr. Griffin now spends time amongst polo-clad Oxford students rushing to their next classes, he was once a management trainer supporting Raytheon Missile systems for their Computer Sciences Corporation. Finding himself trapped in a career with no growth and in which he had no interest, Mr. Griffin confided in his friend Dr. Jaron Fried, who at the time was a teacher in the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD).
One conversation with his friend — now the AUHSD Superintendent — sparked his curiosity in education and a 24-year career in the field.
“I told [Dr. Fried] about everything that I was looking for in a career and he told me about everything that he gets out of teaching. There was this beautiful match,” Mr. Griffin said.
In 2002, Mr. Griffin began teaching business computer applications at Cypress High School. After working as a teacher for four years, he leveraged his Master’s of Business Administration to transition into an administrative role, working at Dale Junior High School for two years.
Following his time at Dale, Mr. Griffin worked as the Assistant Principal at Savannah High School for seven years and as Western High School’s Assistant Principal for 10 years. In July, he transferred to Oxford, stepping in to replace former Assistant Principal Esther Cho.
For Mr. Griffin, navigating the switch from a traditional high school to a college prep academy was surprisingly easy. At the core of this seamless — and joyful — transition was Oxford’s culture of driven, like-minded students working hard to achieve their goals.
“Every student is here because they have this future in mind,” Mr. Griffin said. “They are focused on bettering themselves, and that feeds my desire to make the best possible school environment for the students.”
As Assistant Principal, Mr. Griffin plays a crucial role in fostering Oxford’s environment. He is responsible for leading the school through the annual PSAT, California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress testing, and Advanced Placement testing. He also manages the school’s custodial team, ensuring that classrooms and facilities are properly cared for.
On paper, it’s a demanding role, but connecting with his students and watching them grow into accomplished young adults makes all the work worthwhile for Mr. Griffin. Even when handing a phone-bearing student a detention, he values the opportunity to help them learn from their mistakes. Any and every interaction with a student is a reminder of why he’s an educator.
“I connect with our students. I see them flourish. I see them change,” Mr. Griffin said. “I’m constantly inspired by our students. They validate the work that I do and the attitude that I bring each day.”
