Retiring principals reflect on careers, schools with pride
 |
| SNP photo by Jeffry
Konczal Granby Elementary School Principal Linda Dawson's last day was Friday, Dec. 18. |
* Granby's Linda Dawson and Wilson Hill's Pat Reeder both stepped down as winter break began.
By PAMELA WILLIS
One is off to a sunnier climate and one will stay in town,
but two Worthington elementary principals had to say goodbye
to students and staff on the last day of school before
winter break.
On Friday, Dec. 18, Granby Elementary School Principal Linda Dawson and Wilson Hill Elementary School Principal Pat Reeder got a lot of hugs.
"The kids had a clap-out for me and sang the Granby Gator song," Dawson said. "I didn't even try to hold back the tears.
"I told them I was going to miss them and that I love them all and they would do well even if I'm not there," she said.
Dawson, 58, and Reeder, 57, both officially retire Dec. 31 after 351/2 years as educators.
When asked what she will miss the most about Wilson Hill, Reeder sighed and said, "The children, the children, the children.
"I've seen them all grow and change through the years and not seeing them every day will be the hardest thing," she said. "I live in the community, though, so I told the kids I'll probably see them at Kroger and the rec center and the library. But it's not the same as knowing you have the opportunity to contribute to their lives."
Dawson was a teacher early in her career in Norwood, then taught reading at Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools before serving three years as principal of Chagrin Falls Intermediate School.
She was hired as principal at Granby in 2002.
Dawson said she is proud of how Granby has grown.
"I'm proud that our renewal program was adopted and that we are a Basic School and how the staff is moving toward assessment for learning and using more technology in the classroom," she said. "I'm pleased and proud of all of them."
The Basic School concept is a renewal effort Granby adopted within the district's school renewal program. It stresses connections to community, character connections and physical and mental wellness initiatives.
The Granby staff held a retirement party for Dawson at J. Liu Restaurant last week.
Dawson is taking two major steps beyond Granby: getting married to Arne Skaar, from Virginia, and moving to the Villages, Fla.
"I'm looking forward to getting married and playing golf and loving a whole new life," she said. "I'm going to miss Granby tremendously though. It is such a wonderful school and family and I will think of them often."
Reeder served as elementary school principal in Findlay City Schools and Washington Local Schools, near Toledo, as well as director of elementary curriculum and instruction.
She also served as the director of psychological and special education services in Lucas County and as a private school psychologist for a pediatricians' group in Toledo.
She came to Worthington and Wilson Hill in 2000.
"I'm really proud of the people I've hired and the staff I've assembled at Wilson Hill," she said. "We have an outstanding group of people. I'm proud of how we worked together to bring our achievement up and keep it at high levels."
Reeder said Wilson Hill met only three out of 10 indicators on the state report card when she arrived in 2000, but has achieved an "Excellent" rating every year since then.
"We have a very cohesive school community that has a high focus on teaching kids to become caring, responsible students," she said.
Wilson Hill staff members also are working on a school renewal effort.
"It doesn't have a name yet, but it involves high use of technology and teaching kids to become a part of the community," she said. "There is no set model, but we are developing our own program and the building leadership will continue to work on it."
Reeder is a bicyclist and runner who has participated in rides and marathons for Team in Training, raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
"I will continue to run, bicycle and train to stay in good shape, plus I'll be able to baby-sit a couple of days a week for my six-month-old grandchild, which will be fun," she said.
Reeder won't be far from educational pursuits, however. She's already accepted a part-time position with the Northwest Evaluation Association, which is a nonprofit testing organization that Worthington schools and other districts work with in measuring academic progress.
"I'll also be doing some professional development programs and will enjoy having time to travel with my husband and get back to hobbies like knitting and sewing," she said.
Reeder's husband is Dennis; their daughter, Erin, married to Mike Farley, is a teacher in New Albany schools.
Two interim principals have been chosen by district officials. Moses Hubert, retired principal from Columbus City Schools, will serve as interim principal at Granby. Linda Strong, also a retired principal from Columbus, will be interim principal at Wilson Hill.
A traditional search process will be conducted to find permanent principal replacements for both schools in the spring, district officials said.
On Friday, Dec. 18, Granby Elementary School Principal Linda Dawson and Wilson Hill Elementary School Principal Pat Reeder got a lot of hugs.
"The kids had a clap-out for me and sang the Granby Gator song," Dawson said. "I didn't even try to hold back the tears.
"I told them I was going to miss them and that I love them all and they would do well even if I'm not there," she said.
Dawson, 58, and Reeder, 57, both officially retire Dec. 31 after 351/2 years as educators.
When asked what she will miss the most about Wilson Hill, Reeder sighed and said, "The children, the children, the children.
"I've seen them all grow and change through the years and not seeing them every day will be the hardest thing," she said. "I live in the community, though, so I told the kids I'll probably see them at Kroger and the rec center and the library. But it's not the same as knowing you have the opportunity to contribute to their lives."
Dawson was a teacher early in her career in Norwood, then taught reading at Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools before serving three years as principal of Chagrin Falls Intermediate School.
She was hired as principal at Granby in 2002.
Dawson said she is proud of how Granby has grown.
"I'm proud that our renewal program was adopted and that we are a Basic School and how the staff is moving toward assessment for learning and using more technology in the classroom," she said. "I'm pleased and proud of all of them."
The Basic School concept is a renewal effort Granby adopted within the district's school renewal program. It stresses connections to community, character connections and physical and mental wellness initiatives.
The Granby staff held a retirement party for Dawson at J. Liu Restaurant last week.
Dawson is taking two major steps beyond Granby: getting married to Arne Skaar, from Virginia, and moving to the Villages, Fla.
"I'm looking forward to getting married and playing golf and loving a whole new life," she said. "I'm going to miss Granby tremendously though. It is such a wonderful school and family and I will think of them often."
Reeder served as elementary school principal in Findlay City Schools and Washington Local Schools, near Toledo, as well as director of elementary curriculum and instruction.
She also served as the director of psychological and special education services in Lucas County and as a private school psychologist for a pediatricians' group in Toledo.
She came to Worthington and Wilson Hill in 2000.
"I'm really proud of the people I've hired and the staff I've assembled at Wilson Hill," she said. "We have an outstanding group of people. I'm proud of how we worked together to bring our achievement up and keep it at high levels."
Reeder said Wilson Hill met only three out of 10 indicators on the state report card when she arrived in 2000, but has achieved an "Excellent" rating every year since then.
"We have a very cohesive school community that has a high focus on teaching kids to become caring, responsible students," she said.
Wilson Hill staff members also are working on a school renewal effort.
"It doesn't have a name yet, but it involves high use of technology and teaching kids to become a part of the community," she said. "There is no set model, but we are developing our own program and the building leadership will continue to work on it."
Reeder is a bicyclist and runner who has participated in rides and marathons for Team in Training, raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
"I will continue to run, bicycle and train to stay in good shape, plus I'll be able to baby-sit a couple of days a week for my six-month-old grandchild, which will be fun," she said.
Reeder won't be far from educational pursuits, however. She's already accepted a part-time position with the Northwest Evaluation Association, which is a nonprofit testing organization that Worthington schools and other districts work with in measuring academic progress.
"I'll also be doing some professional development programs and will enjoy having time to travel with my husband and get back to hobbies like knitting and sewing," she said.
Reeder's husband is Dennis; their daughter, Erin, married to Mike Farley, is a teacher in New Albany schools.
Two interim principals have been chosen by district officials. Moses Hubert, retired principal from Columbus City Schools, will serve as interim principal at Granby. Linda Strong, also a retired principal from Columbus, will be interim principal at Wilson Hill.
A traditional search process will be conducted to find permanent principal replacements for both schools in the spring, district officials said.
Copyright © 2009 - Columbus Local News