The Lincoln Log

Mr. Payne

Everyday, when we walk in the halls, we see an intimidating man in a suit either telling you to go to class or helping the freshmen to find where they are supposed to be. The sophomores, juniors, and seniors don’t recognize this guy from previous years. So exactly who is he? His name is Mr. Payne and he is Abraham Lincoln High’s new assistant principal.

Payne graduated from Lowell High School (Class of ‘87) and a graduate of University of Oregon. He’s lived in San Francisco all of his life, except when he went to college, traveled and the one time he moved to Washington D.C. for a woman. His goal for the year is to make Abraham Lincoln High School the best school in San Francisco.

Q: Why did you want to become assistant principal?

A: Because there is no better job in education. My job is to help everybody: students, teachers, custodians, anybody in the building. It’s my job to support them. Yet I’m not a principal who has all the responsibility. So it’s a nice combination between leadership and responsibility and being able to support people that you believe in.

Q: What jobs did you have before becoming assistant principal?

A: Well before I was assistant principal I was a teacher. You have to be a teacher with a valid Californian teaching credential in order to become an administrator. I was a teacher for twelve years. No, I was a teacher for ten years. Before that, I was a bartender and a waiter at a Mexican restaurant. And I was also a carpet installer. And finally, I was one time a breakfast chef.

Q: What school(s) did you teach at?

A: I taught at Aptos Middle School and taught humanities. I also worked at Everett Middle School, James Lick, as a student teacher I worked at Aptos for eight years, and Burbank Middle School.

Q: What do you enjoy most about Lincoln?

A: I enjoy the students the most. The students here are amazing. Students here do so much. They organize everything. They raise the flag in the morning. They close the school at night. Lincoln students are truly the best students I’ve seen in thirteen years in public education.

Q: What activities are you looking forward to?

A: I’m looking forward to athletic events and supporting them. I’m looking forward to dances. I’m looking forward to Octoberfest, looking forward to Mayfest. I’m look forward to everything.

Q: How would you improve Lincoln?

A: How would I like to improve a school as perfect as Lincoln? I would like to see all the students achieve at the highest levels.