WILLMAR - The staff at Willmar Public Schools will have plenty of chances to get to know their new boss during the school year that starts today.
Superintendent Jeff Holm, who joined the district July 1, told the all-staff gathering Thursday morning that he plans to dedicate 20 percent of his time each week to visiting classrooms and school buildings.
He also shared some of his philosophy for leading the school district and shared some of the expectations he has for the staff when it comes to meeting the needs of students.
Holm spent 20 years working in the Minot, N.D., School District, as an elementary principal and as an assistant superintendent. His teaching experience has been with elementary children.
After he moved into administrative positions, he said, he found he missed having contact with students, and in recent years he began scheduling time for classroom visits.
“It’s a way to be out to see what’s going on, so we don’t end up in the situation where I have no idea who you are and what you truly do,” he said.
“When you see me walk in your room, please don’t stop teaching,” he said. “Don’t let it distract you; I want to be there to see learning for students.”
Holm addressed the entire staff, about 700 people, and said it’s not only teachers who have an impact on students. The people who provide clean, safe buildings and nutritious meals affect students’ learning, too, he said, and any adult working in a school could be the one who makes a needed special connection with a child.
“You may not know it, but you may be the reason a child wants to come to school or is willing to come to school,” he said, “so don’t sell that short. It’s important.”
Holm said he does not yet know about the connections that staff members have made with students, but he wanted them to know that “I thank you for it, and I value it.”
Holm listed some things he said he expects from the district’s employees.
“I hope you are people who are committed to meeting the needs of students, that you recognize the importance of your work and that you value a public education like I do and are proud of your work,” he said.
“I think we always need to recognize potential in all students,” he said, “and work together for our students’ best interests.”
Holm said he also wants the district’s employees to share news about what good things are happening in the district.
“I think we need to do a better job promoting the idea that we are a great place for kids to be,” he said, and he challenged them to help do that in the community.
“Thank you for your commitment to kids,” he concluded. “I look forward to making connections with you and wish you the very best.”
