Huckaby builds trust with students and staff
October 14, 2024
Name: Efa Huckaby
Award: Secondary Principal of the Year
Title: Principal, Liberty Union High School, Liberty Union High School District
ACSA highlights: Member since 2005; Diablo Management Association president-elect.
When Efa Huckaby first became assistant principal at Ygnacio Valley High School in Mt. Diablo Unified School District in 2012, he demonstrated his dedication to student success and achievement, which continues to this day.
Huckaby helped to adopt the International Baccalaureate Program at the school, resulting in an increase in the A-G course completion rate by 19 percent. During his career, he has spearheaded initiatives to provide more support for students with special needs and has worked with district-level support to create an on-campus work experience opportunity.
At his current site, Liberty Union High School, Huckaby has implemented research-supported best practices to ensure that the school’s instructional methods align with the latest research. He also uses student performance data to identify areas of improvement and necessary interventions to meet students’ individual learning needs.
Huckaby also supports a positive school culture on his campus — his school’s Wellness Center provides counseling services and support systems for students to express themselves and seek mental health assistance.
“Efa makes the job of a high school principal look easy,” wrote Denise Rugani, Liberty Union High School District’s assistant superintendent of human resources. “He treats every human with dignity and respect. I have never seen him angry or lose his cool. He has the ability to handle some of the most difficult student situations with ease and grace. And it is because of this that students and staff not only trust his leadership ... they also want to work collaboratively for the success of the school and each other.”
What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership?
Favorite Book: “Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect” by Will Guidara.
Favorite Quote: “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advice I have been given is to lead with action. Also, be where your feet are. Don’t think about the next job; be great where you are currently working.
What’s your best strategy for work-life balance?
The best strategy I have learned for work-life balance is to be efficient with your time at work. Also, plan out-of-work events; it’s easier to follow through when the plans have been made.
What are some life hacks you would recommend for a new administrator?
Listen to the room and ask questions to gain understanding. Working in schools can be like piloting a cruise ship; you have to plan out your turns to make them smooth.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am an avid Dave Matthews fan.
What made you want to become a school administrator?
The potential that my principal, Gary McAdams, saw in me inspired me to become a school administrator. I strive to do the same with my students and staff by sharing my belief in them.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are?
Working on my mental health was the biggest challenge I had to overcome.
What are you most proud of accomplishing?
I am proud of many accomplishments in my career, but the work with the Week of Welcome at Ygnacio Valley stands out. Collaborating with a diverse group of passionate educators who understood the importance of a growth mindset and collective agreements was key to our school’s improvement.
Huckaby