Anonymous
03/27/2026 10:54
Subject: Re:That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Clayton is a nice guy. Don’t believe these stories.
Are you saying it didn't happen? Did he say that or did he not?
DP. He absolutely did say it. And also, in some ways, he really is a nice guy. I truly believe he cares deeply about each and every kid at Takoma - he has a heart for them and it's a warm environment in that regard. But he's not a good manager or administrator, he has a tendency to be extremely defensive and prickly and he gives out favors to friends vs nurturing talent wherever it is found. He treats teachers like his pawns instead of colleagues. And he is -- I cannot stress this enough -- an abysmal communicator. He rambles, he digresses, he backtracks, he alludes, he repeats, and in the end: he has conveyed no information.
He's a human person, not a monster or a saint. But I don't think his personality is right for a principal position and I don't think he's doing a good job.
This is a pretty good summation of Clayton. I would just add, he also lies incessantly. Whatever he tells you to your face will be the complete opposite he shares with someone else. Whatever is the easiest answer for him to let you leave thinking he is a "nice guy", so I can see why people are easily fooled by that
Anonymous
03/27/2026 10:48
Subject: Re:That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Clayton is a nice guy. Don’t believe these stories.
Are you saying it didn't happen? Did he say that or did he not?
DP. He absolutely did say it. And also, in some ways, he really is a nice guy. I truly believe he cares deeply about each and every kid at Takoma - he has a heart for them and it's a warm environment in that regard. But he's not a good manager or administrator, he has a tendency to be extremely defensive and prickly and he gives out favors to friends vs nurturing talent wherever it is found. He treats teachers like his pawns instead of colleagues. And he is -- I cannot stress this enough -- an abysmal communicator. He rambles, he digresses, he backtracks, he alludes, he repeats, and in the end: he has conveyed no information.
He's a human person, not a monster or a saint. But I don't think his personality is right for a principal position and I don't think he's doing a good job.
Not a takoma parent but you’ve just described every DCPS principal we’ve ever had. It’s uncanny how horribly they communicate and manage.
Anonymous
03/27/2026 10:45
Subject: Re:That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Clayton is a nice guy. Don’t believe these stories.
Are you saying it didn't happen? Did he say that or did he not?
DP. He absolutely did say it. And also, in some ways, he really is a nice guy. I truly believe he cares deeply about each and every kid at Takoma - he has a heart for them and it's a warm environment in that regard. But he's not a good manager or administrator, he has a tendency to be extremely defensive and prickly and he gives out favors to friends vs nurturing talent wherever it is found. He treats teachers like his pawns instead of colleagues. And he is -- I cannot stress this enough -- an abysmal communicator. He rambles, he digresses, he backtracks, he alludes, he repeats, and in the end: he has conveyed no information.
He's a human person, not a monster or a saint. But I don't think his personality is right for a principal position and I don't think he's doing a good job.
Anonymous
03/27/2026 10:38
Subject: Re:That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:Clayton is a nice guy. Don’t believe these stories.
Are you saying it didn't happen? Did he say that or did he not?
Anonymous
03/27/2026 10:34
Subject: Re:That Takoma Principal Part 2
Clayton is a nice guy. Don’t believe these stories.
Anonymous
03/27/2026 07:17
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:I need to say we find that no school is perfect but we’ve had warm teachers and caring staff and our child has found community at Takoma. While the principal did not present his best self at the meeting…he has created a good school we are happy at
Parent of upper school student here. I’ve never been impressed by Clayton but I have been impressed by multiple AP’s at my time at the school including Mr. Robinson currently. My child has had great teachers creating a great experience. I am not countering the PTO report and have no crystal ball but remain happy with the school overall.
Anonymous
03/27/2026 06:48
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I need to say we find that no school is perfect but we’ve had warm teachers and caring staff and our child has found community at Takoma. While the principal did not present his best self at the meeting…he has created a good school we are happy at
Let's not give him credit for creating the school!
Yeah....if anything he's ruining the good school. Staff exodus last year; more coming this year
Anonymous
03/27/2026 06:48
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just had an insane crash out on a PTO call. Among the highlights:
Told the parents they were lucky to have someone as great as him and he could move himself and his family anywhere
That they were the most disrespectful PTO he had ever met
Nobody in the world has a harder job than him and how dare families ask hard questions of him, a black male
Did he address what happened in 4th grade? All the vaguebooking is making me nuts but I couldn't join today to see if details would be forthcoming. And based on Principal Clayton's communication style he is not where I would turn for clarity.
he talked around it, but really just complained about how hard his job is and how nobody there appreciated how good he is at it.
Anonymous
03/26/2026 22:07
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:I need to say we find that no school is perfect but we’ve had warm teachers and caring staff and our child has found community at Takoma. While the principal did not present his best self at the meeting…he has created a good school we are happy at
Let's not give him credit for creating the school!
Anonymous
03/26/2026 22:06
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
I need to say we find that no school is perfect but we’ve had warm teachers and caring staff and our child has found community at Takoma. While the principal did not present his best self at the meeting…he has created a good school we are happy at
Anonymous
03/26/2026 22:02
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
Anonymous wrote:Just had an insane crash out on a PTO call. Among the highlights:
Told the parents they were lucky to have someone as great as him and he could move himself and his family anywhere
That they were the most disrespectful PTO he had ever met
Nobody in the world has a harder job than him and how dare families ask hard questions of him, a black male
Did he address what happened in 4th grade? All the vaguebooking is making me nuts but I couldn't join today to see if details would be forthcoming. And based on Principal Clayton's communication style he is not where I would turn for clarity.
Anonymous
03/26/2026 21:14
Subject: Re:That Takoma Principal Part 2
I believe his contract at Takoma runs through next school year, so he’ll likely stay in place for now. That said, given the recent pattern, I expect a number of strong teachers will leave again after this year ends.
Anonymous
03/26/2026 20:05
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
!!! And on lottery eve no less.
Anonymous
03/26/2026 20:05
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
All of these terrible principals are crashing out. He should be gone in the AM. Good riddance. Remembering when he was spotlighted for nonstop working. And there you have it folks.
Anonymous
03/26/2026 19:57
Subject: That Takoma Principal Part 2
Just had an insane crash out on a PTO call. Among the highlights:
Told the parents they were lucky to have someone as great as him and he could move himself and his family anywhere
That they were the most disrespectful PTO he had ever met
Nobody in the world has a harder job than him and how dare families ask hard questions of him, a black male
Told the parents they were lucky to have someone as great as him and he could move himself and his family anywhere
That they were the most disrespectful PTO he had ever met
Nobody in the world has a harder job than him and how dare families ask hard questions of him, a black male