By Anthony Manuel Caravalho, Sports Editor
As the San Quentin Model celebrates its grand opening of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $240 million learning center, recently appointed Supervisor of Correctional Education Programs, Principal J. Henderson spoke of his experiences and philosophies that will mold the education department.
“As Nelson Mandela says, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’” said Henderson. Henderson was named SQRC’s education leader in November of last year.
Henderson spent seven years at California Men’s Colony and exhibits a philosophy that is in line with the planned future of SQRC.
“I have always heard positive things about SQRC, and with the new learning center opening, it felt like the right time to make a change,” said Henderson. “The principal job at SQRC is unique due to the volume of programming options, so being flexible and open-minded is key to continuing and enhancing success at SQRC.”
Henderson spoke of the enormity of opening the new facility and the progress of hiring additional staff for all areas. “If [the hiring goal is] successful, this will help alleviate waitlists and allow us to offer additional programs,” said Henderson.
Henderson said his vision is in alignment with Governor Newsom’s, Ex-Director Ron Broomfield, and current SQRC Warden C. Andes’ goals as it relates to preparing the residents to re-enter society. “Whenever a student is getting ready to parole, I always ask about their rehabilitation journey,” Henderson said. “Each time education always comes up, which points to the importance of education within rehabilitation.”
He also stated that networking and developing relationships with stakeholders is a key to making the successful transition, especially during the education departments’ times of stress that his staff will endure during the opening. “I think it is important to always remain calm and focus on the daily ‘wins.’ There will always be issues and stress that arise, but focusing on the positive helps to overcome the struggles.”
It is that “daily wins” focus that has residents who loiter around the current education center concerned. None of the complainants would state their concerns on record, but incarcerated staff that works in the current education center spoke well of the new principal.
Education clerks Will Frank and P.A. Pandy are inspired by the consistency and fairness of Henderson.
“My impression of Principal Henderson is that he is the new head of the department and he’s definitely different than former Principal Wheeliss. Henderson and Wheeliss have different management styles, but everything I see from him defines efficiency,” said Pandy. “He’s an efficient guy and he’s doing everything inside of the Education Department as he gets used to the culture of our rehabilitation center. Education doesn’t run Victim Awareness, Anger Management, Narcotics Anonymous, none of that.”
Pandy said that Principal Henderson now wants residents to turn in written requests so he can be more streamlined with his time and track the requests because he is busy opening the new Learning Center.
“I understand the concerns of the residents who can no longer print or copy group papers, but Principal Henderson has a different philosophy than Wheeliss,” said Pandy. “That responsibility is outside the parameters of the Education Department, so it may appear strict, but it is policy.”
Education clerk Frank said, “Principal Henderson deserves our patience as he transitions from a higher level facility to the new Learning Center at SQRC and I have found him to be a qualified leader for this progressive approach to rehabilitation and education.”
Henderson believes peer-to-peer programming, like the Peer Literacy Mentor Program that was established by A. Sufi, can be utilized during the education departments’ expansion.
“I [believe that] peer-to-peer programming allows our education program to support more students that we would normally,” said Henderson. “Peer-to-peer programming also gives the mentors an opportunity to learn leadership skills and give back to the SQRC community.”
As he observes all the assets that make-up the education department, he said he feels his skill-set that includes strategic thinking, relationship building, time management and adaptability, will help the new education center prosper in a more expedient manner.
“We’ve got the right person to raise the education center to new heights,” said Warden C. Andes.