For the 2012–13 school year, Westlake High School has a new principal in Dr. John Carter.

Carter is filling the position vacated by Dr. Linda Rawlings, who announced in May that she would retire to spend more time with her family. Eanes ISD Superintendent Dr. Nola Wellman recommended Carter for the position at a June 20 board meeting.

Carter started in the education field as a mathematics teacher. He taught for 19 years before becoming the assistant principal for teaching and learning and then principal at Adlai Stevenson High School in Illinois.

Carter said he learned about WHS after hearing a speech from Rawlings at a principals convention on how the school was using technology in its classrooms. Carter said he was impressed with what WHS was doing and organized a trip with some of his ASHS administrators to visit the school.

After Rawlings announced her retirement, Carter said he called the outgoing principal and decided he could be a good fit as her replacement. In a press release, Wellman said she was confident that Carter's commitment to teachers and their professional growth and student success could help propel WHS to even higher standards than before.

What inspired you to go into education?

I always enjoy interacting with adolescents. My undergraduate degree was in mathematics and, as I thought about what I wanted to do with it, I became more and more certain I wanted to teach. I had had many great teachers myself that were models and inspirations for me.

Why did you decide to step into the administrative side?

As I spent more years in education, I became more interested in kind of the wider impact on the student's overall development. Not just academic, but the social, emotional, physical development of adolescents and students. I looked to have a broader impact.

What are some priorities in your first year as principal?

The first year is to get to know the culture and get to know the staff, community and students, and get to know the program as it is set up. Texas is structured a little different from Illinois in some respects, but the one thing in common is that they look out for the programs and students. I want to get to know students and make sure that they are successful in whatever they are working at in their various careers.

What are your thoughts on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness end-of-course exam?

Every state has those high-stakes testing environments. In looking at any of those, the high-stakes testing situations that the state provides is a matter of being very clear on expectations for students, and making sure that the curriculum is aligned and the appropriate remediation programs are set up for students who happen to not meet the standards.

What hobbies or interests do you have outside of your professional field?

I like to work out, I like to swim, I like to jog. I like to hike. My wife and I are avid eaters—that's why I have to exercise [laugh]. I also stay very active in the mathematics community. I write math textbooks as a hobby. I know for some people that doesn't seem relaxing, but for me it is very enjoyable. It takes me back to my roots and helps me rejuvenate.