MP Schools gets new Director of Instruction

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

Katie Gavin will be joining the team at Mt. Pleasant Community School District come July as the new Director of Instruction.

Gavin, who will be coming to the district with over 15 years of experience as a school leader, has a Masters of Education from the University of Northern Iowa and is currently the Administrator of Professional Services for the Great Prairie Area Education Agency (AEA).

The position became available after Darren Hanna resigned last summer. Pat Shire has been serving as director in the interim.

Interim Superintendent Dr. John Roederer said five finalists were interviewed for the position by a committee comprised of John Henriksen, incoming superintendent, as well as all of the district?s principals and a group of faculty members.

?They were impressed by the experiences that Katie will bring to the job,? said Roederer.

Roederer said Gavin?s position at the AEA allowed her to work in a number of schools throughout the AEA and she will ?hopefully be able to bring some of the ideas she found to work well and were successful in other schools.?

?I?ve always admired the district for its high quality, for its strong thinking and its investment in people, that always attracts me to a job,? said Gavin.

?The AEA has afforded me so many opportunities of networking within the state and nationally, and I really think it?s a calling of mine that I take all of that training and support I?ve gotten and directly impact a staff with students,? she said. ?I?ve always wanted to be in that position when I can see the growth and challenges and be a part of culture.?

In the end, Gavin said she is most looking forward to learning with and from the administrative team, as well as the teachers and students. ?And doing everything we can to make a difference of every kid,? she concluded.

Gavin?s selection was approved during the March 28 school board meeting. Roederer said her contract details would be approved during an April meeting.