Post by EagleDad on Feb 28, 2008 5:58:31 GMT -6
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=143202&src=76
A longtime "Waubonsie Valley guy" was tapped by Indian Prairie Unit District 204 to open the new Metea Valley High School in 2009.
Waubonsie Principal Jim Schmid said Wednesday was about as emotional a day as he's ever had after he accepted the district's offer to take the Metea job.
He'll begin his new duties July 1, giving him slightly more than a year to prepare for the opening of what eventually will be a 3,000-student school on Eola Road.
Metea, which is scheduled to open its doors in fall 2009, will house only freshmen and sophomores during its first year.
"I've proudly worn the green and gold for 15 years so this was a big decision, a big step," Schmid said minutes after announcing the move to administration and faculty via e-mail. "Ultimately I made a personal and professional decision to act on an opportunity that doesn't come along very often in this field."
Schmid began his teaching career at Waubonsie Valley in 1977. He left the school a year later and returned in 1992 as dean of students. He then served as the school's guidance counselor, director of guidance and assistant principal before being named principal in 2004.
He said he doesn't believe his departure will send the wrong message to the Waubonsie community.
"That's a good question and my initial response is that I hope not and I think not," he said. "I hope and believe in my heart that all three schools are and will be well received in the education community."
A written statement by Deputy Superintendent Kathy Birkett, who opened Neuqua Valley High School as principal in 1997, called Schmid a "great fit."
"Jim is student-focused and extremely well respected by his staff, students and parents," she wrote. "He will build a strong foundation for Metea Valley and its future."
During the next year, prior to Metea's opening, Schmid will hire staff and meet with students who will attend the school in August 2009. The opportunity to "build a culture and climate in a new school is both humbling and exciting," he said.
"My big push at Waubonsie and what I anticipate will happen at Metea Valley is to be completely student-centered," Schmid said. "I hope that together with the students, their families and the faculty, we can create a culture and climate of 'Why not try this?' or 'Is this the best way to deliver this set of information to these students?'"
Coming into the job with a "highly competitive" personality and an "athletics-oriented background," Schmid said he doesn't think he'll have a hard time getting everyone on board.
"Together, lets determine that enthusiasm and passion will be at the heart of what we do," he said. "Having pride in what you do and passion happen if you're living in the right place emotionally."
His competitive fire may quickly be put to the test as Metea goes through its growing pains, especially regarding athletics.
"I expect the biggest challenge I'll encounter will be working to create an atmosphere where we're initially going to get knocked around a little bit," he said. "We're starting with freshmen and sophomores, yet we'll still be expected to compete, almost immediately, at the varsity level. It's going to be tough building that tradition or spirit early on when the desired results may not be there."
Schmid's transition to Metea and Neuqua Valley High School Principal Michael Popp's recent promotion to the district administration now leave Indian Prairie with principal openings at both its high schools.
Administrators anticipate naming replacements for both men in the spring.
Schmid said he believes the Waubonsie community has nothing to fear.
"I know that an excellent principal will replace me at Waubonsie Valley," he said. "They are steeped in tradition and committed to excellence, so no one has anything to fear in that regard."
A longtime "Waubonsie Valley guy" was tapped by Indian Prairie Unit District 204 to open the new Metea Valley High School in 2009.
Waubonsie Principal Jim Schmid said Wednesday was about as emotional a day as he's ever had after he accepted the district's offer to take the Metea job.
He'll begin his new duties July 1, giving him slightly more than a year to prepare for the opening of what eventually will be a 3,000-student school on Eola Road.
Metea, which is scheduled to open its doors in fall 2009, will house only freshmen and sophomores during its first year.
"I've proudly worn the green and gold for 15 years so this was a big decision, a big step," Schmid said minutes after announcing the move to administration and faculty via e-mail. "Ultimately I made a personal and professional decision to act on an opportunity that doesn't come along very often in this field."
Schmid began his teaching career at Waubonsie Valley in 1977. He left the school a year later and returned in 1992 as dean of students. He then served as the school's guidance counselor, director of guidance and assistant principal before being named principal in 2004.
He said he doesn't believe his departure will send the wrong message to the Waubonsie community.
"That's a good question and my initial response is that I hope not and I think not," he said. "I hope and believe in my heart that all three schools are and will be well received in the education community."
A written statement by Deputy Superintendent Kathy Birkett, who opened Neuqua Valley High School as principal in 1997, called Schmid a "great fit."
"Jim is student-focused and extremely well respected by his staff, students and parents," she wrote. "He will build a strong foundation for Metea Valley and its future."
During the next year, prior to Metea's opening, Schmid will hire staff and meet with students who will attend the school in August 2009. The opportunity to "build a culture and climate in a new school is both humbling and exciting," he said.
"My big push at Waubonsie and what I anticipate will happen at Metea Valley is to be completely student-centered," Schmid said. "I hope that together with the students, their families and the faculty, we can create a culture and climate of 'Why not try this?' or 'Is this the best way to deliver this set of information to these students?'"
Coming into the job with a "highly competitive" personality and an "athletics-oriented background," Schmid said he doesn't think he'll have a hard time getting everyone on board.
"Together, lets determine that enthusiasm and passion will be at the heart of what we do," he said. "Having pride in what you do and passion happen if you're living in the right place emotionally."
His competitive fire may quickly be put to the test as Metea goes through its growing pains, especially regarding athletics.
"I expect the biggest challenge I'll encounter will be working to create an atmosphere where we're initially going to get knocked around a little bit," he said. "We're starting with freshmen and sophomores, yet we'll still be expected to compete, almost immediately, at the varsity level. It's going to be tough building that tradition or spirit early on when the desired results may not be there."
Schmid's transition to Metea and Neuqua Valley High School Principal Michael Popp's recent promotion to the district administration now leave Indian Prairie with principal openings at both its high schools.
Administrators anticipate naming replacements for both men in the spring.
Schmid said he believes the Waubonsie community has nothing to fear.
"I know that an excellent principal will replace me at Waubonsie Valley," he said. "They are steeped in tradition and committed to excellence, so no one has anything to fear in that regard."