Prior to the start of the school year, Steve Huisman, principal at Suring School, answered a few questions about his new position.
Q Why did you want to be principal of Suring School?
A Personally, becoming Suring’s principal is a great professional development opportunity for me. Even better, the move is a return to northern Wisconsin—a great place to raise a family. The people of this area have the culture and values of a hard work ethic. These are the kind of people I want to be around, and I want to work with their children.
Q What strengths do you bring?
A I am a student-centered decision maker. My leadership philosophy and decision-making process is centered on what is best for the students.
Q What is your vision for the future of the district?
A I will strive for continuous improvement in preparing students for modern day challenges. I want people to look at Suring School as a place where we prepare students for the future. With open and honest communication across the grade levels, I will work with the staff to reach those goals.
Q On Suring’s 2011-12 school report card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the elementary grades barely met expectations and the high school met few expectations. How do you plan to improve the score?
A With that open and honest communication across grade levels, the staff will analyze what is rated well and what is not. By comparing our school scores to state averages, we can pinpoint and identify the areas where we are in need. We will establish a timeline of what we can improve in this school year and what we need to change over the next three to five years. This long-range plan will include identifying teacher leaders and putting effective teachers in positions to help others succeed. I also want to meet with the UW-Extension and early childhood specialists and check out early literacy programs so the school can work together with outside resources to communicate the same expectations for children entering our school system.
Q What is one thing you want the community of Suring to know about you?
A I want to reiterate that I am student centered. I am readily available to the people of the district, and I want to foster the relationship between the school and the people within the community.
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