Meet Mr. Henninger

As Boston Latin Academy’s 10th headmaster, Mr. Henninger is committed to make BLA better again by listening to the voice of the students and implementing these ideas into new ways to improve the school. You probably have seen Mr. Henninger in the hallways before. Last year, he worked as the director of the English and History departments, overseeing 28 teachers and 2 librarians. Mr. Henninger comes in as headmaster very well qualified. He holds a B.S. in economics, as well as an M.S., and C.A.S., each with a concentration in education. For the past 20 years, Mr. Henninger has served in a variety of teaching a position roles. Overall, he has supervised about 40-50 schools undertaking about 70 staff and faculty positions.  

I sat down with Mr. Henninger and asked him a couple of questions for his plans for BLA…..

Who is Mr. Henninger?

“You can’t summarize a man in one line. I am a principal, a parent, I’m a coach. I’m so many things.”

How long have you been teaching for?

“I started teaching in 1989. I’ve just aged well.”

How was your experience in school as a young child?

“ I grew up in an environment where I couldn’t tell the difference to black, white, green or yellow.”

What is most important to you about BLA?

“We have a school with one voice. What’s relevant is your success. My degrees haven’t taught me have to find your voices, my practice has. I’m very transparent and honest. There will be no faking the funk. If I don't know, guess what I will say. I don’t know. I want the reality.”

What do you think that you can offer to BLA?

“What i think and what i view really doesn’t mean a hell of all a lot, until I hear your voices. My job is to support your process in learning. I come here everyday because I want to come, not because I have to come.”

What is the best part of being an educator?

“The best part of my day is talking with you guys, by far. I’ve never not liked my job teaching, being in education, never. And the day i don’t enjoy you will see the back of my head because I will leave.”

Any final comments that you would like BLA students to know?

“You should see me as one of the most approachable people that you have ever made in you life. I want everyone to be able to be heard and have the voice. I will never not listen to you. I will never ignore you. And if you see me in the hallway all you have to say is a simple ‘hello’.”

By Tinyan Omere '16