New principals preparing for start of school year

As students start school on Aug. 25, two new administrators will be joining them.

Ann Hilburn is the new principal for Evergreen Elementary and Bob Burkhart is new the principal for Wrangell High and Stikine Middle School.

Hilburn was previously the special education teacher at the high school and middle school, while Burkhart was working as a principal in Missoula, Montana, after having been retired.

Leadership positions at the schools opened after Bob Davis retired from the high school and middle school and Jenn Miller-Yancey took a position with the Alaska Department of Education after 30 years at the elementary school. Both were assistant principals.

"There's always a certain amount of nervousness whenever new admin starts working with a group of teachers that are already used to each other and the ways of the previous admin," Hilburn said. "We will need to learn to work together as a team and be flexible to learning new ways of doing things."

Hilburn, who's been an educator for 37 years, said she's not the only new one at Evergreen who will need to integrate into the current staff, as others have been hired for various roles at the elementary level. "I don't expect big challenges, just routine challenges," she said.

"Almost all of the staff have been repositioned to different grades and support staff are almost all new," Hilburn said. "Learning the new routines and learning to work together will be the biggest challenges for teachers and support staff."

Having already worked within Wrangell schools, Hilburn understands the culture. Burkhart admits it's new territory for him, even though he's worked in Alaska schools before.

"There's no way from my perspective that I could come into school" (and not rely on current staff, Burkhart said. "I need people to tell me where we are. I need to communicate with everybody and listen carefully."

Burkhart said he wants to "accentuate the positive" aspects of the school and work on weaknesses, like a doctor evaluating a patient. "I do not plan to do anything until I understand the situation."

Before starting his position, Burkhart sat in on some of the school board meetings and has met with staff to get a better understanding of the schools and community.

"I'm very impressed," he said. "There's no lack of effort being withheld. There's a very high commitment."

Both principals believe that teachers, students and parents have to work together to provide children with the best education possible. Burkhart likened it to a three-legged stool.

"We have to work together, all three of us, to come up with a stable plan that works for all of us," he said. "It's not going to come from any one person. We need to help (students) as much as we can to be productive, happy and successful."

Hilburn echoed those statements.

"I would like for parents to become really involved with their child's education and find ways to support their child, as well as the school," she said. "I want parents, staff, students and community to find our office door always open to assist them in the best ways possible."

As for any changes this year, those mostly center around operating in an ever-changing COVID landscape. Some changes pertain to fixing gaps left in education in the wake of the pandemic, which both principals said need to be a priority. Other changes are simpler.

"We will once again be eating lunches in the multipurpose room instead of the classrooms," Hilburn said.

Despite any unknowns, both are ready to begin the year.

"I'm excited and can't wait for the staff to be in place and the students to come streaming through our doors," Hilburn said. "I feel sure the staff feel the same and will be anxiously waiting for their new classes to begin Aug. 25."