Thompson to lead Delano Intermediate

Posted on: Aug 20, 2021

Katie Thompson brings a unique perspective to her role as the new principal of Delano Intermediate School.

As a Delano resident for the past 11 years, she has transitioned from a community member without much connection to the schools to a parent of Delano students. And starting next month, she will work with both students and parents as a local educational leader.

“Before I had kids in the school system I just had an abstract understanding that there were good schools here, but I wasn’t really attuned to what was going on in the schools,” said Thompson, who has previously worked as a teacher and administrator in Columbia Heights, Watertown-Mayer and Big Lake.

She gained greater familiarity when her oldest child, Tyson, started at Delano Elementary and she met with DES staff to address some special needs.

“I was really, really nervous as a first-time mom sending him to school, so I sat down with (former DES Principal Darren Schuler) and Nurse Crista (Wadholm),” said Thompson. “I remember sitting in that office and feeling like, ‘It’s going to be OK. These guys have got him and they’re going to take care of him.’ Then his kindergarten teacher was great, and he’s had nothing but great teachers since then. So as a parent I’m just thrilled with the experience that he’s had so far.”

Now, Thompson’s professional history has converged with her parental background to give her a firm understanding of both academic best practices and the deep personal investment felt by Delano families in their children’s schools.

“In a way it does create a different level of pressure because of the great educational experience that my kids have had, and now I need to maintain that standard for the families coming through,” said Thompson. “It’s a high standard. I’ve experienced it, and I don’t want to drop the ball.”

Coming to Delano
Thompson grew up in Cannon Falls, so the prospect of combining personal and professional life in a small town is nothing new.

“Growing up, it was very normal for me to drive down the street and know everyone that I passed,” she said. “So I’ve always wanted that community connection. The idea of being in the same district as my kids, knowing their friends and teachers, has always been appealing to me.”

Thompson earned her bachelor’s degree in communication arts and literature from Bethel University, and later added a master’s degree from Bethel as a reading specialist. She began her teaching career as a middle school language arts teacher in Columbia Heights, then shifted to teaching eighth grade language arts in Watertown-Mayer after marrying her husband Nathan ‒ a Watertown native ‒ and relocating to Delano.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” said Thompson. “I had one especially influential teacher when I was in high school ‒ my language arts teacher, Mr. Fogarty. He really helped me find my niche. I had so much fun in school, so I always knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

In between starting their family and teaching, Thompson earned her K-12 principal license from Hamline University and added a special education director K-12 license from Bethel.

From teacher to administrator
Thompson said she relished her time in the classroom to such an extent that she never initially planned to become an administrator.

“I always found teaching to be really fun,” said Thompson. “It was fun working with middle school kids. They are energetic and I loved my subject area, so actually it was really hard for me to leave the classroom.”

After 10 years of teaching, however, Thompson’s transition into administration began when Watertown had an opening for a dean of students and Thompson’s principal encouraged her to apply.

“(Administration) was never something that was an aspiration of mine because I loved teaching. But I was always really interested in the curriculum and instructional side of teaching,” said Thompson. “I was always looking for the best way to teach my standards and assess and increase achievement. So when I originally went to work on my admin. license it was more with a mindset of, ‘Maybe somewhere down the line I’ll work in curriculum instruction.’”

Thompson eventually expanded her leadership experience with five years as the assistant principal of the Independence STEM Elementary School in Big Lake. She and her husband also welcomed their third child during that time.

“I don’t think I could ever have been an administrator before I had kids because it just gave me such a different perspective,” said Thompson. “Now I’m understanding where parents are coming from with their concerns in a different way.”

Has she enjoyed the change from the classroom to administration?

“It has been one of those things where the doors opened and it was a good fit,” she said. “I just realized that I enjoyed leadership. I enjoyed being able to support teachers. And the farther I’ve gotten into my parenting journey, the more I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to support parents too.” 

A new chapter
Thompson officially joined the district in July, and her initial impressions as an employee have been favorable. 

One of her first tasks has been coordinating with other new members of the office team at the intermediate school. In addition to Thompson, new faces include Assistant Principal Greg Hinker, who has moved over from the elementary school, and administrative assistant Rebecca Ring, who is joining Melissa Koch at the front desk.

Another priority has been meeting with teachers and staff members over the summer months to get to know them before the rush of the school year begins.

“They’re coming into this year with a really positive viewpoint and perspective,” said Thompson. “After a really hard year last year, I think that says a lot about these teachers.”

As the school year begins, Thompson said one of her goals is to watch and listen initially, and then to help the school continue developing its own culture and traditions. In its three years of operation, that effort has been hampered somewhat by COVID-19 interruptions and leadership transitions. In that sense, Thompson said it has been helpful to have Barry Voight, the first DIS principal now serving as the Delano High School principal, around to provide some perspective. Last year the school was led on an interim basis by Joe Vieau, who retired this summer.

“That’s something I’m hearing a lot from staff, that we’re still looking for our groove in some of those areas,” said Thompson. “The school’s second year was cut short, and the third year was affected by COVID too. So they’ve really only had one full normal year, and you can’t even count that as a normal year because that was their first year in that building.”

With hopes for a steadier 2021-22 despite the persistent COVID virus, Thompson is looking forward to welcoming students and parents back to the building next month.

“I just want families to know that I’m really committed to the success of their kids, whatever that looks like,” she said. “Different kids have different areas that they’re working on, and we want to give kids what they need to be successful. I want to partner with parents to do that, so I’d ask them not to be slow to say that they have a question or concern, because I don’t know unless they share it with me.”

* Thompson’s husband, Nathan, is a social studies teacher and football coach in Wayzata. The couple’s three children include third-grader Tyson (8), kindergartener Drew (5) and Riley (1).
 

Post Categories: Intermediate School