WMU hosts first Coffee with the Principal

WINFIELD — This school year, Winfield Mt. Union’s new Middle and High School Principal Gaige Gill invites the community to coffee with the principal as a time to voice concerns, ask questions, and share ideas.

According to advertisements for the event, once a month, beginning last month, WMU invites the community to participate in a time of discussions about various aspects of the school including proactive and reactive issues, opportunities for improvement, and ways to enhance the overall school culture while boosting student achievement.

“We believe that engaging in meaningful conversations can help us create a stronger educational environment. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, teacher, or student, your input is valuable in shaping the direction of our school,” the advertisement states.

The former WMU graduate returns to the area after teaching in various a wide variety of grades and subjects for eight years at Maple Valley Anthon-Oto Community Schools in Western Iowa.

“my wife and I decided we wanted to move back and this job popped up and I thought it'd be a good opportunity to try something different that I knew would be challenging,” Gill said. “It is a place that I care about, so I am giving it a shot, and it is great so far.”

With this being Gill’s first principal position, he says Coffee with the Principal is an opportunity to practice transparency and open conversations.

“It was kind of an idea I had when I interviewed for this job,” Gill shared. “I didn’t know if it would work or not, but I just wanted to give it a shot as a way for people to be able to communicate maybe even before things reach the point of a negative conversation to just bring suggestions or maybe voice a concern or potential concern.”

“I know the things that I'm good at, and there's so much that goes into a school being successful that I really want as much feedback as possible,” Gill said.

Gill invites anybody that has an idea to share about improving the school to these coffee events.

At the first coffee event held the last Monday of August, Gill says the small group included not only parents but also an individual from a neighboring district without any children in WMU schools.

“They just wanted to kind of compare some of the things we’re doing, and it was nice,” he said. “There was someone that worked as a teacher in a surrounding district as well. And so, it was good just to kind of get some of those comparisons from people who wanted to give some positive feedback.”

While Gill says “not everything that's discussed maybe will play out,” he thinks “the more communication, the better.”

To participate in future Coffee with the Principal events keep an eye on the school website and their Facebook page.

In hopes of catching as many different people as he can, Gill says the next event is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25 from 3:10-4 p.m. in the school commons area instead of another early morning session like the first meeting.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com