Joomla Login LightBox powered by WowJoomla.com

Follow Us

More Education Headlines

Current Poll

Now that not wearing your seatbelt is a primary charge, will that change whether or not you will wear a seat belt?

	yes
	no

New superintendent eager to meet staff, patrons

Education

Written by Kristen Waggener

Wednesday, 15 July 2009 08:00

Two weeks into her job as superintendent of Louisburg USD 416, Sharon Zoellner is eager to meet staff and community members.

Several teachers have popped into the district office to meet Zoellner, and she’s transferred her Rotary Club membership to Louisburg.

“Getting to know the community is important to me,” she said.

Zoellner joined the district July 1 after serving as superintendent in De Soto for six years, replacing Rick Doll, who left to become superintendent in Lawrence.

USD 416 Board of Education members praised her personality and experience, saying her qualities will be an asset to the community.

“Something I can bring to enhance what’s already here is the collaborative (teaching) piece we started in De Soto,” Zoellner said.

Background

Zoellner graduated from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo., with a bachelor’s degree in education. She received her master’s degree from Emporia State University and her doctorate from the University of Kansas.

She started her career teaching third grade and junior-high math and science in O’Fallon, Mo. She moved to Fort Leavenworth to teach at Patton Junior High School. Later, Zoellner became an elementary-school principal in the De Soto district, where she spent the last 20 years in varying capacities, including as the business director in charge of student services and technology, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent and then superintendent.

Louisburg is a district Zoellner said she’s always had her eye on because of its small size and interaction among students and staff members.

“I was looking at (the job) five years ago (when Doll was hired), and I felt I didn’t have enough experience,” she said.

In addition to her experience with collaborative learning, Zoellner said her experience dealing with budgets and being on state committees will help. She serves on the School Finance Task Force for United School Administrators and the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission; she also is president-elect of the Kansas Association of School Administrators and is on a commission for mentoring new superintendents for KASA.

But, her No. 1 focus is the students, she said.

“My personal professional philosophy is student-focused,” Zoellner said. “I have such a passion for helping every child learn to their potential. ... I look at every student where they are and where they want to go.”

Although the current real-estate market is making it difficult for Zoellner to move into the district, she said she plans to move as soon as possible. Right now, she lives in De Soto with her husband, John, but no children.

“I have 1,650 children in the district,” Zoellner said with a laugh. “I truly do take them under my wing.”

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry