In the busy halls of Westwood High School, Mr. Ahmad Stephens is making a mark as one of the new admins. With a passion for helping students, and a bubbly, free-spirited personality, he’s dedicated to creating a safe and fun-filled environment for the Redhawks.
Every day, Mr. Stephens, an administrator at Westwood, works to make the school the best it can be, inspiring students to strive for success. His commitment to leadership is shown in his approach, especially when guiding the younger generation who aspire to take on leadership roles.
“Become a visionary; identify what you think, and be student solution-focused when going to school to take a leadership role” he advises, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision and understanding your value.
Mr. Stephens is deeply concerned about the mental health of the Redhawks and has taken steps to address it. He and the staff a Westwood have launched Wellness Wednesdays, where students can participate in various activities focused on their mental well-being:
On some Wednesdays, community partners visit to lead group sessions and workshops.
Going more into the programs He says, “We’re starting instrumental basketball, adding music during the day, and creating a gaming room. We’re also adding clubs for Wellness Wednesdays during lunch and throughout the day for specific students.” These activities will give students fun ways to connect, relax, and build a sense of belonging by connecting with others around them.
As Mr. Stephens says, “Some students.” These activities will give students fun ways to connect, relax, and build a sense of belonging by connecting with others around them.
As Mr. Stephens says, “Some Wednesdays, we have community partners coming in doing groups and speakers who speak all around the U.S.,” including notable speaker Kyle Greene. Greene travels to schools to talk to students about mental health and the importance of staying drug-free.
These sessions include team-building exercises and conflict-resolution activities, helping students build strong personalities to support one another. There will be other speakers who have not been named yet but will make an appearance at Westwood in the future.
Mr. Stephens adds, “If students are distressed or upset, I will let them have a minute and sit in my office to calm down and relax.” This shows his commitment to the Redhawks’ well-being, giving them the space they need to get themselves together before heading to class. Not only does Mr. Stephens provide good support and discipline as an administrator, but his background at his old school working as a school guidance counselor adds an extra layer of understanding for the students. This allows him to approach their well-being from an administrative and counseling perspective. He is not just an authority figure, he’s someone who genuinely tries to understand the challenges students face. This role allows him to offer strategies and resources to help the Redhawks both academically and emotionally.
Mr. Stephens’ dedication to the Redhawks shines in everything he does. By creating a supportive environment and bringing in new programs, he is making Westwood High a better place. He empowers students to take charge of their futures and focuses on mental health to help everyone feel valued. With his leadership, he is not only aiming the Redhawks for success he is showing them to support each other as they all grow into their bright future.