Assistant principal Jeremy Knapp was grilling steaks at roughly 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 2nd, when a short phone conversation would turn his life around. He was phoning back a missed call, but the message awaiting him on the other end was pretty unexpected: “Would you accept a position as principal of JP King Middle School, in Franklin, Virginia?”

Knapp’s initial reaction was shock—“I just tried to catch my breath; I was completely caught off guard”. Mind whirling, he answered that he would simply have to call them back again later. He breathed. He waited. He called principal Irene Reynolds.

A few hours later, he accepted.

Knapp, who was beginning his fifth year in the Harrisonburg City Public School system this year, loved working with the faculty and student body. But while he was content with his current job, he also kept an eye out for any available positions as principal.

“It was time for me to move on,” Knapp said, on his acceptance of the new offer. “I wanted to also work as a principal, not just an assistant, and this was a good opportunity for me.”

Knapp first heard about the offer around the beginning of August, and started the initial

interview process three weeks ago. On Monday night, he was called back for a second interview. At this point, Knapp was tied in the running for the job with another person.

“It was so close that they didn’t even know who they wanted the day before they called me,” Knapp said. “I think part of what helped was the recommendation Mrs. Reynolds gave me, and I thank her. I think that gave me an edge.”

Reynolds was, in fact, the only person who knew about Knapp’s application prior to Thursday. Knapp, feeling superstitious, did not want to jinx anything.

“I just had it in my head that I didn’t want to tell too many people,” Knapp said.

When he finally did break the news to the school (first the faculty, in an email), it was difficult. He spent his impromptu last day on Thursday, September 2nd packing up (“It’s a mess in here,” he gestured around his office), and saying goodbyes.

“It’s hard,” Knapp said. “I’ve watched a lot of these kids grow. I’ve seen them off to a fantastic start, and I want to watch them continue throughout the year, but I can’t do that.”

This hasty departure has also prompted kids whom Knapp has not had much communication with to speak up. It is the students, Knapp said, who he will miss the most.

“I’ve had students I didn’t know I had an impact on come up to me and say they’re going to miss me, and thanking me for helping them,” Knapp said. “And I will miss the nursery. They’re my babies”—Knapp

grinned widely and continued—“It will be hard to not have that place to relax and see these mothers and their children growing in school and life.”

While there is still some hesitation in his decision (“There still is—there always is when you’re leaving something you love,”), Knapp is looking forward to working as principal in a new environment. JPKMS, three hours from Harrisonburg, has about 250 students total—a much smaller size than what he is used to.

However, he wanted to find a school that needed help, and Knapp felt that this was a place where he could put his experiences at HHS to use.

“Here, we’ve dealt with numerous personalities and cultures, and there, there isn’t that much diversity,” Knapp explained. “But I can carry that knowledge over and help other groups have a close connection and get more parental support with the small town community.”

For Knapp, it will be hard to leave a place where he has established so many close connections and relationships. He feels that he has created a strong support network within HHS, and one of the things he is most nervous about and most looking forward to is starting the process of getting to know people again.

“I’m scared to death,” Knapp said. “I’m nervous, but can’t wait to get to know a new group of students and teachers and work with them. I think I can do a very good job with that.”

Knapp will begin his second first day of school on Tuesday, which is JPKMS’ second day of school. Until then, he will be in and out of the HHS, finalizing papers and organizing different information. But even though Knapp has his own new school to think about, it does not make leaving HHS any easier.

“It will be hard to walk away from here, knowing this isn’t my school,” Knapp said. “It will be hard to just walk away.”

To the students of HHS, Knapp leaves one final goodbye.

“Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and best effort,” Knapp said. “Not all schools give their best, but in HHS, I know that you guys are always working hard. Thank you.”

And do not worry too much—he will be back for graduation.