May 22, 2013
Cleveland Heights, OH
Alisa Lawson-McKinnie
Marc Aden, the principal of The R.E.A.L. Early College High School program at Cleveland Heights High School and the longest serving principal in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District, has announced that he will be retiring by the end of this school year. Aden’s future plans include spending more time in the Ministry and with his grandchildren.
“My time at Heights High has been life changing and humbling,” said Mr. Aden. “It has been the most meaningful and challenging work of my professional life. I’m looking forward to retirement, but I’m already thinking about all of the people I will miss. The students have been such an inspiration to me with their energy and their hope-filled outlook on life. They are so clever and sophisticated. I will also miss the teachers and staff that God has blessed me to be a part of since I entered the district. What a ride it has been!”
Mr. Aden has been a part of the CH-UH School District for 14 years. He began at Bellefaire School as the behavior management coordinator in 1999. He also served as Taylor Academy principal, Transition Team Leader for the Small Schools transformation initiative, first principal of The R.E.A.L. School, and first principal of The R.E.A.L. Early College High School program.
“Mr. Aden will always be remembered for his chivalry, compassion for his students, and passion for his art. That thing called a decent human being. I will truly miss him,” said Dr. Johnetta Wiley, Cleveland Heights High School administrative principal.
Taking over for Mr. Aden as principal at the end of this school year will be Alisa Lawson-McKinnie. Ms. Lawson-McKinnie has been a high school administrator for 17 years. For the last 11 years, she has been serving as a high school principal in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She also worked in the Columbus Public Schools as an assistant principal, the same district where she began her career in education teaching English.
“Ms. Lawson-McKinnie is known for her ability to provide unity and direction in implementing goals. She has demonstrated that she has the leadership competence and passion necessary to continue to build on the success of the R.E.A.L. Early College High School program that Mr. Aden started,” said Wiley.
Ms. Lawson-McKinnie has degrees in English, Higher Education and Student Affairs, and advanced graduate study in Education Administration specializing in Superintendence. She is currently in the doctoral program at Cleveland State University.