READY WEN HIS TIME CAME
I knew it was going to be a good interview when I walked into
and he had on a purple shirt with a purple striped tie – the
favorite color of both of us!
When Wendell returned home to Manatee County for the summer
after graduating from Western Maryland College in 2003, he was
back to take a break, visit with family, and to decide where he
wanted to attend law school. Yes, law school. Wendell knew he
wanted to be a lawyer.
While relaxing over 14 years ago, Wendell reconnected with his
Southeast High School wrestling coach who was looking for
help coaching freshman football. As the story goes, the rest is
history. While coaching, Wendell began substitute teaching at
Southeast. That turned into a long-term substitute position and,
In 2010, Wendell knew he wanted to pursue a path that would
tap into his love of the law, and put him into a leadership role. A
role where he would have the opportunity to negotiate, and to
Assistant Principal position at Southeast.
14 years after accepting a position to help coach freshman
football, on July 1, 2017, Wendell accepted the position as
Bayshore High School’s newest principal to begin the new
school year.
“I had the pleasure of working with Wendell for three years at
Southeast High School,” said Manatee County Executive Director
of Secondary Schools, Jim Pauley. “During that time, I saw a
young man grow and grow as an administrator. Wendell was like
a sponge soaking in leadership skills, and always willing to learn.
He has carried those experiences and knowledge into being the
current principal at Bayshore High School and I believe he will be
highly successful leading the school. His leadership strengths
are described in a quote by John Maxwell,
negotiable characteristics that every effective leader must have: a
sense of calling, an ability to communicate, creativity in problem
solving, generosity, and consistency.’
Humble, excited, enthusiastic, grateful, and determined. Just
a few adjectives I would use to describe Wendell during our
interview.
“I’m just starting to get my feet wet in the position,” said Wendell.
“We are a very community-driven school here at Bayshore. 80%
of our students either walk or drive to school every day, and that
is unique in the district.”
“One of the most important things that I try to instill in our students
is that the amount of effort you put into something is going to
determine what you get out of it. All roads lead to somewhere -
and we want our students to know that we are going to be there
for them whatever path they choose. We want to give them room
to decide for themselves, but also be there to give them options,
give them a roadmap, and give them a foundation to build on.”
“We are a Title 1 school and we have a current ‘C’ Grade,” said
Wendell. “Improving our grade will be a big focus for me. My
goal for this year is to improve to a B Grade and then, of course,
an A Grade. We have great teachers - and amazing kids - so I
know we can achieve that goal.”
“Mr. Wendell Butler has demonstrated over the last few years
he was ready to be a principal,” said Manatee County School
District Superintendent, Dr. Diana Greene. “It was my honor
and pleasure to recommend his appointment to Bayshore High
occasion. He is connecting with his faculty/staff and supporting
his students. I am very proud of Wendell, and I have great
Wendell and his wife, Jennifer, met at church in East Bradenton
and have been married for 11 years. Much of Wendell’s ‘spare
London, six-year-old Greyson, five-year-old Reagan, twoyear
old Emersynn, and six-month-old Josephine, Wendell
challenging and amazing,” laughed Wendell. “I’m sure my son,
Greyson, and I will have some ‘interesting’ bonding times ahead.”
with his worship team at the Bridge Church in Bradenton, bingewatching
some of his favorite television shows, or testing his skills
with a challenging video game.
“I am honored that the Manatee County School District staff had the
said Wendell. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue the
great foundation of work that has been created, and to continue
to make more positive changes going forward.”
91