One of the Lehigh Valley's toughest schools now has a tougher leader.
Shannon Mayfield is the fourth principal at William Allen in two years.
The former Georgia State Trooper says things are about to change at the school - for the better.
Over the years William Allen has had problems with test scores and school violence.
Mayfield says he didn't apply for easy and sees more potential than problems at Allen.
He has morphed from Georgia State Trooper to a counter terrorism agent to coach and teacher.
Now Shannon Mayfield is facing another tough job as principal of William Allen High School.
"I have been in worse situations and I have seen people soar to expectations that no one thought they could reach," said Mayfield.
Mayfield is a Detroit native who was the assistant principal at Manhiem High School in Lancaster, and Dean of Students at schools in Michigan and Georgia.
Mayfield says the problems William Allen is now facing have his name written all over them.
He says his priority this school year is to remove all negative distractions and take on the role of "Major Engager" getting real and building trust with students who face challenges, helping them achieve academic success.
"Tough times is part of growth. And you need to understand we are not going to give you crap. But we are not going to take crap from you either. We want you to be successful. We want you to have a great time we want your life to be fulfilling," said Mayfield.
Mayfield says he has a shared vision of the "Canary Nation," where teachers, parents and alumni take a vested interest in the education of their Allen family.
It's a vision he says will help Allen students grow beyond their greatest expectations.
"We can be positive, we are going to move forwards and that it is going to take hard work. It's not a magic trick. I didn't apply to easy," said Mayfield.
Mayfield says there are a lot of positive programs that will help him steer the school toward success.
And students can expects to see him daily in the hallways and in the classrooms.
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