New Heights High assistant principal is former CHPD officer

John Fullerman

The Cleveland Heights–University Heights City School District has named John Fullerman as a new assistant principal of Cleveland Heights High School. Fellow assistant principals are Jane Simeri, Alisa Lawson-McKinnie, and Joseph Nicklos (former Oxford Elementary School principal), with Zoraba Ross as head principal.

Fullerman was previously the principal of Summit Academy Secondary School in Canton, where he was also head coach of the basketball team and director of student council. Prior to entering the education field, initially as a teacher, Fullerman served as a Cleveland Heights police officer, 2003–09.

He obtained his B.A. from Myers University, then secured his master’s in education from John Carroll University. Fullerman also completed Cleveland State University’s principal licensure program, and is in the process of finishing the advanced curriculum and instruction program from Wright State University.

“We’re lucky to have John Fullerman coming to our district, as someone with so much unique experience in both education as well as in protecting our community,” said Superintendent Talisa L. Dixon. “His leadership skills and passion for Cleveland Heights will make him a great addition to our Tiger Nation family.”

Under the high school’s new academic structure for fall 2015, small schools will be eliminated in favor of a more comprehensive structure. In addition to the head principal, there will be four assistant principals, each of whom will be responsible for specific grade levels and content areas to focus on teaching and learning.

The counseling services department will work under a “house system” model in which counselors will work in teams with case managers and social workers. Their services will be provided to students from specific grade levels, and incoming freshman students will work with the same counselors through their senior year.

“I’m very excited to embark on this new path for our high school,” said Zoraba Ross, administrative principal. “I believe, under this new model, students are able to obtain a more targeted and individualized education experience. I believe this change is very much a step in the right direction.”