MES principal moving on to Topeka
Staff writer
Marion Elementary School principal Rod Garman has resigned. Although he will finish the 2010-11 school year at MES, he accepted a position as principal at North Fairview Elementary School with USD 345 in Topeka.
Garman is returning to his teaching stomping grounds. He taught eight years at Elmont Elementary School, which is one of six elementary schools in the district.
MES teachers say Garman’s enthusiasm as MES principal makes him unique.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not excited,” fourth-grade teacher Rebecca Hofer said.
Hofer explained that some principals would be reluctant to be covered in spaghetti and meatballs or kiss a pig. Garman has submitted himself to both events this school year.
“Every single Friday he does a flip in front of the assembly,” Hofer explained. “Who does that?”
Garman has also been no stranger to doing the little things to connect with students. Second-grade teacher Ginger Becker said Garman is in the lunchroom every day to help students open milk cartons and wipe tables for the next group of students.
“The first week that Mr. Garman was at Marion Elementary School he could call each student by their first and last name,” Becker said. “What an incredible gift each child received. It made them feel so important.”
While he has had no problem being silly to connect with young students, Garman has had a serious impact on their education.
“In academics, his attention to the importance of state assessments (was crucial),” USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker said, “the overall desire to make our elementary school and our district a better educational system.”
He started the practice of daily morning assemblies where students have learned manners, key benchmarks in content areas, history lessons, and life skills.
“This assembly has built the sense of community in our school,” Becker said.
Hofer said that Garman has been a mentor. Teaching fourth grade at MES is her first job.
“I would ask him about classroom ideas; how to deal with discipline issues,” Hofer said. “It was really tough my first year. I never really had to do anything like that before.”
Garman was instrumental in implementing a school-wide, color-coded discipline program.
“He’s always helped with that side of education,” Hofer said.
Weekly staff meetings were Garman’s tool for establishing school goals.
“His devotion (gave) us the motivation to be the best we can be,” Becker said.
On top of his educational ambition, Garman has also been a part of organizing school food drives, family carnivals, and other community events.
With all of his accomplishments in a four-year stint as principal, Garman’s presence will be missed.
“I know whoever comes in has big shoes to fill,” Hofer said.
Leiker said the district is fielding applications from principal candidates. He said the district is keeping its options open, including hiring a district employee to fill the position or having a current administrator take on MES principal duties on top of a current job.
Leiker has set a tentative deadline for a decision on the position for the April 11 Board of Education meeting. He also said a decision will be reached by the end of the school year.
“We can’t wait and see what the legislation is going to do,” Leiker said of impending state budget cuts that could influence district hiring practices. “We want to be proactive.”