Encampment meets the candidates

Mike Erickson, principal at Encampment K-12 School, will be retiring at the end of the school year after 19 years with Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2). On March 5, a community forum giving parents and staff a chance to speak with Erickson’s possible replacement was held.

Jacob Johnston and A’Lisa Mueller, both made their case on why they should be picked as the next principal at Encampment. Both Johnston and Mueller took questions from the audience with Robin Brown as the moderator.

Darrin Jennings, Superintendent of Carbon County School District 2 said both candidates made a great case for why they should be the next principal.

“I thought that they both did a great job and they showed that they are student-focused,” Jennings said. “Both candidates answered questions that made us all aware of focusing on students.”

Jennings said what impressed him the most was their experience and knowledge of how they would communicate with teachers, students and parents. He said either one of them would do a great job being the next principal at Encampment.

“Both have such great experience working with kids and working with a multi-tiered system of support which makes them good quality leaders,” Jennings said. “I believe if either candidate becomes principal they will do a great job working with our staff and our community.”

Mueller, who spoke first, is an educator from Sidney, Nebraska. She was asked by the moderator to talk to the audience about her experience in education and explain what motivates her in wanting to be the next principal at Encampment.

“I earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in math at Chadron State,” Mueller said. “When I was going to school I was a head start teacher and was also a special education para (paraprofessional).

As a special education para, Mueller works with students with disabilities and helps them with their behavior management. She has also worked part-time as a reading intervention teacher. Mueller currently works for the Creek Valley District where she has been employed for 14 years where she started as a 4th grade teacher. Mueller said she is ready to take the role of principal if accepted.

“After spending the day here at Encampment, I had a great opportunity to talk to different staff members and the students,” Muller said. “The more I have talked to people the more I have learned about this district. I care a lot about communities and I heard from students that everyone is behind you and shows their support. So I am excited about the experience that I have to offer for Encampment and my expertise in education.”

Johnston, is the 5th grade teacher and head basketball coach, has spent 11 years teaching at Encampment. He said he loves the community of Encampment and feels because he knows everyone in the community and the parents he is a great fit for the job.

“I am currently working on my master’s in leadership at Western Governors University,” Johntson said. “About a year and a half ago the staff got together and they were looking for someone who would be acting principal when Mr. Erickson was gone. They elected me to do it and that is when I started to pursue my masters in educational leadership.”

Johnston will be graduating from WGU on July 31 and will be earning his 39 remaining credits to complete his master’s degree. Johntson said one of the things that excites him about wanting to become the next principal is the community atmosphere and the pride both parents and students take in being a part of the Encampment family.

“I love this place and I have a deep passion for this school,” Johnson said. “I have built so many relationships with staff, students and community leaders over the years. This is where my heart and soul belong and I bleed Tiger Red & Black. The sky’s the limit at Encampment where everyone can achieve anything.”

Both Johnston and Mueller were asked questions from parents and the community about their idea of leadership and how they want to help students reach their education goals. Johnston and Mueller both said the best way to take educational leadership is to work with staff, students and parents and listen to the concerns that will move Encampment forward.

One of the most important questions both candidates were asked by a concerned parent was on the issue of bullying.

Johnston and Mueller were asked what actions they would take if they had to deal with this issue as principal. Both candidates explained what they would do if they had to face a student who was causing harm to other students. Mueller said the best way to stop bullying is to build a relationship with students, staff, and parents. She said it is important that parents are aware of their children’s inappropriate behavior and it will take communication to prevent tragedies such as bullying from happening.

“Sometimes we do not think about building relationships between teachers and students,” Mueller said. “I believe building a community and relationships is the answer because it is hard to bully someone you like. So building that relationship helps students and teachers know each other, build strengths and work together. Getting students to know each other and hearing students is important because it helps us find out what is going on in students’ lives and what they are feeling inside.”

Mueller said parents and staff need to hear students on how they feel whether it’s an anger or depression issue. She said it all starts by listening and knowing what students are dealing with. This is a concern for Mueller because she mentioned that she has met a parent who had a daughter who committed suicide for being bullied. She also suggested starting programs and having trusted adults available to students can help prevent bullying.

Johnston said the best way to stop and prevent bullying is to teach students, teachers and parents how to get along but, most importantly, let their voices be heard on both sides. He said bullying is something he will take seriously if he becomes the next school principal.

“When it comes to bullying, voices need to be heard,’ Johnston said. “What we all need to do to foster the communication whereby sides need to be heard. To stop bullying we need to teach students and parents. We also need to let parents know what is going on when it comes to this issue.”

Johnston said teaching students right from wrong is the best way to prevent bullying. He said it is a top priority that he will closely monitor under his watch as principal.

“The best way to deal with this situation is to let both voices be heard and never ignore the problem, ” Johnston said. “You just don’t punish a student and put a band-aid on it, you need to teach them what they are doing is wrong and to make sure that pattern of behavior does not continue and it all starts with teaching students, parents, and staff.”

A decision will be made before the end of the school year.