Huntertown Elementary School Principal Joe Meyer hopes his summertime studying pays off; his studying of last year's yearbook that is.
Meyer is the new principal at Huntertown and wants to be able to welcome students by name today on their first day back. All students in Northwest Allen County Schools also return to school today.
This is Meyer's first principalship. He said the move was one he wanted to make for the opportunity to make a larger impact on a greater number of students, but likes the family and community feel of Huntertown.
"I couldn't ask for a more welcoming atmosphere," he said.
Meyer said he has two main goals for his time at Huntertown, and the first is to maintain the direction of the schools' former principal, John Macleod, which he said includes a positive learning atmosphere and reputation for high performance.
"If it's not broke, don't fix it," he said.
He also wants to use the opportunity to learn the ropes of school administration. He said Mcleod along with central office and other NACS administrators have already been helpful.
Meyer believes his experience coming straight from the classroom in a time when teachers are facing great challenges from outside schools, will help him be an understanding leader. Prior to accepting the job with NACS, Meyer taught for six years in Crown Point Community School Corp.
The move is actually a bit of a homecoming for Meyer, who grew up in Berne. He said it's an opportunity for him, his wife and two young sons to be closer to their relatives.
The reputation of the district and the opportunity to lead a school was ultimately what lead Meyer to the position.
"I think in any education position you feel like it's a calling," he said. "It's something you need to be doing. It's a good opportunity to achieve goals for kids and create a good learning environment for kids."
