OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATORS 2007-2008

DOROTHY ZUIDERHOF
Outstanding Curriculum Director, Brookings School District
Total Years in Education: 36   Total  Years in Administration: 6

The Educational Accomplishments that you are most proud of is:  In every position that I have held in the Brookings School District, it has been my goal to not only improve a student's self worth but also improve student achievement.  Since today's students are visual learners I have actively provided professional development activities for staff to learn how to implement technology into their curriculums. The staff have been trained in Tech Paths, a curriculum mapping tool, Tablet Pc's CGI, WebCt, Web Pages, On-line Resources, Student Centered Projects, Blogging, Excel, various computer passed curriculum programs, Smart Boards, and many other technology related areas.  This has all been possible through competitive Technology Grants that I have written.  Each year I have seen an increase in teacher competence in the use of Technology in the classroom as well as more teachers asking for further trainings in technology integration.

Your Philosophy of Education:  I believe that education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving our community and world better than I found it.  Therefore, I must address each day with the greatest act of optimism by keeping a healthy attitude and always striving to do my best.  I must see students as citizens of tomorrow and help staff learn to shape student's lives as they learn, to empower students to do their best as they prepare for the future.

People would be surprised to know that you:  I am working at my dream job.  When I was hired in the Brookings School System 36 years ago, I was always setting higher goals for myself.  These goals included continuing my education and receiving two Master's Degrees.  After teaching and being a counselor for 30 years, I wanted to challenge myself more.  The only job in the system that I felt I had the background for was the Curriculum Director position.  To my surprise I was hired to this position six years ago and have enjoyed every challenging day since.

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RICHARD UNRUH
Outstanding Business Official, Yankton School District
Total Years in Education: 40           Total  Years in Administration: 37

The Educational Accomplishment you are the most proud of is:  Everything my staff and I were able to accomplish with the support of the school board,  Superintendent of Schools and the entire staff of the Yankton School District during my 11 year tenure in the District.  Those eleven years provided me with an opportunity to apply everything I learned during my first 29 years in public education.  The opportunity to serve as president of the South Dakota Association of School Business Officials and this recognition by my peers are certainly two of the major highlights of my long and very rewarding professional career.

Your Philosophy of Education:  The bottom line is always what is best for our students.  If our focus is on the students, everything else, including the budget, will take care of itself.

People would be surprised to know that you:  I have been an avid baseball fan for over 50 years and have played fantasy baseball for the past 17 years.  I enjoy reading westerns as well as Robert Parker novels and watching western movies.  I also have a keen interest in American history with a particular interest in midwest agrarian history during the populist/progressive era.

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DENNIS CHAMP
Outstanding Special Education Director, Pierre School District
Total Years in Education:  38          Total  Years in Administration:  25

The Educational Accomplishment you are the most proud of is:  I would not attempt to pick one special moment because there have been so many.  Student success has always been special to me and it is what "keeps me going".  I have never had a day that I did not want to go to school because I was unhappy with my choice of profession.  I would hope that in some small way I have had a positive impact on the lives of children and if that is true, then that is the accomplishment that I am most proud of.

Your Philosophy of Education:  I believe our students should expect us to be acceptable risk takers, who will do everything we can to provide them with the opportunity for educational success.  We must seek a way around or over every road block to learning.  Wherever that student is on the continuum is where we begin with the obligation to develop life long learners who are motivated to be independent learners.  As an administrator, I provide a safety net to teachers and other staff who are acceptable risk takers, if I expect them to do the same for children.  Accountability is not a public or government expectation, it is a student expectation.  We will meet the challenges, overcome the obstacles and keep our focus on student success.

People would be surprised to know that you:  I was a very high risk student in high school who spent more time in the principal's office than I did in class.  I was a tough kid from a tough neighborhood.  I had no desire to have anything to do with education or teaching.  I had completed a two year degree program at a Jr. college and a friend of mine had just accepted a position as the principal of a private school for what we referred to as MR students in those days.  He asked me if I would come and teach.  I was hesitant as I had no experience with children with disabilities.  I finally consented to take the position and I was hooked.  I never looked back and knew that I had found where I needed to be.  I became an educator by accident, or maybe not.

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BRAD BRANDSRUD
Outstanding Asst. Secondary School Principal, Watertown School District
Total  Years in Education:  24       Total  Years in Administration 13

The Educational Accomplishment you are the most proud of is:   Sharing a small part of the success of every student who has graduated from school is the ultimate accomplishment of a K-12 educator.  There are countless individuals who struggle to complete their high school education, and there are countless others who needed very little assistance.  It is a privilege to work with these students to help them accomplish their personal goal of a high school education.

The one-to-one laptop initiative or personal computer program for students at Watertown High School is one program I am proud to have served time and energy developing and helping others.  Students at WHS have a tool and opportunity to learn in ways students have never done before.  Guiding students and teachers to use the resources available, and helping them to discover new and interesting ways to connect the learning with objectives has been a challenging and rewarding endeavor.

Your Philosophy of Education:  I believe our school exists to prepare students to succeed in an ever-changing world by providing all students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to think, collaborate, solve problems and celebrate success.

I also believe that every child can learn and be successful.  The difference between individuals is the time it takes a student to learn.  Some students learn and comprehend at a rate faster than others, but all can learn.  It is the responsibility of the schools, administrators and teachers to provide the time necessary to help each student complete high school and achieve success.

People would be surprised to know that you:  have a minor in drama and directed plays and speech contests when I first began teaching students.

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MICHAEL TAPLETT
Outstanding Middle School Principal, Huron School District
Total Years in Education:  28      Total  Years in Administration: 18

The Educational Accomplishment you are the most proud of is:  As the principal, I am the "lead learner".  Recently, I started a professional learning community involving all of our staff.  We selected four books to read and discuss; from this we worked together to strengthen our teams and focus on curriculum issues that promoted student growth.  We had good application in classes on a weekly basis with staff and student accountability.  11 staff members received graduate credit and 9 staff received continuing education credit.

Your Philosophy of Education:  With a personal motto of "positive attitudes and high expectations" I believe and stress to staff that we are here for kids.  I feel that I am a dedicated leader with a passion to see all students succeed.  As educators, we have the unique opportunity to provide students with positive role models who are here for them everyday and willing to be an advocate for them.  Anything that I do, whether it be a new program or an intervention strategy, I have the premise that all children can learn and we will do everything possible to make this happen.

People would be surprised to know that you:  Write birthday wishes for all staff and students throughout the school year.  It seems to bring many smiles and gives me a chance to know each of our staff and students on a more personal relation.  I also go through the 475+ report cards each quarter and write a personal note of praise, encouragement or recognition of attendance.

I love Disney World; it is a great place to go and be a kid again.

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NORMAN GRAHAM
Outstanding Elementary Principal, Meade School District
Total Years in Education:  35       Total  Years in Administration: 22

The Educational Accomplishment you are the most proud of is:  The educational accomplishment of which I am most proud is the relationship I have been able to develop with my school board, superintendent, teaching staff and community that has enabled me to promote programs that focus on the advancement of educational opportunities for the children in my schools.  Being able to involve all areas of the learning community to focus on educating every student, every day makes working in public education an enjoyable challenge.

Your Philosophy of Education:  Education is about preparing for life.  As an educator, I believe that every child has the potential to learn; my mission is to do everything within my power to enable that potential to emerge.  Each child possesses uniqueness and with a stimulating environment, caring staff and challenging curriculum they will grow emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially.  As a principal it is my responsibility to provide a safe, risk-free, caring environment where each student will meet his/her fullest potential.

People would be surprised to know that you:  spent your pre-college years in schools in Norfolk, VA, Spartanburg, SC and Westbrook, ME.  I graduated from Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND and accepted my first teaching contract which included three coaching positions but no teaching assignment specified.

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DAVE PETERS
Outstanding Superintendent, Spearfish School District
Total  Years in Education:  33        Total  Years in Administration: 29

Philosophy of Education:  As a school administrator, I believe my job is to make the student-teacher educational connection as positive and productive as possible.  That is accomplished in a number of ways, including making certain that there is adequate staff development, financial resources, facilities and curriculum review and regeneration.  Doing my job well allows teachers, the heart and soul of any good school system, to do their job well and help all students be successful.

The Educational Accomplishment You are the Most Proud of: I have been fortunate to have been a part of  very successful, productive school districts that have had high expectations for students and staff, and that generated positive results.  Being a part of those organizations and their continuing growth is what I am most proud to have been a part of.

People would be surprised to know: I grew up an Army "brat" spending the first seventeen years of my life traveling to, and living in numerous states and countries around the world (Germany [twice], Italy, and Iran).  And that spending five years at SDSU getting two degrees was the longest I had lived anywhere in my life to that point in time.

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NEIL GOTER
Outstanding  High School Principal, Wagner School District
Total  Years in Education:  25        Total  Years in Administration: 17

Philosophy of Education:  Give kids a chance!  Many are late bloomers and therefore we need to stay with these students until we have exhausted all avenues for success.

The Educational Accomplishment You are the Most Proud of: 1) Implementing block scheduling to the Wagner Community School; 2) Assisted in having the Wagner Community School become a 1 to 1 school; 3) Bringing dual credits to the Wagner Community School for seniors.

People would be surprised to know:  That Il was only a sight reader until junior high.  A teacher at parent-teacher conferences had the courage to tell my mother that she didn't think that I could read.  I will remember my mother asking me to read aloud when she got home from conferences and I will always remember her crying that she did not recognize that her son could not read.  She worked with me almost every night reading aloud until I could read and not just remember words.