With the start of a new school year, it’s common to see many new faces in familiar places. At the beginning of this year however, a familiar face has found a new home. With Steve Nordby taking on a new role, Ryan Meng has stepped up to fill the gap.
“It’s definitely intimidating,” Meng said, “Nordby is a smart man and has been around for a long time. I’m really lucky he is still around and is willing to help.”
Coming from Trade & Health academy, Meng brings experience as principal of the largest of the four academies. However, being the head principal isn’t just about managing a larger number of students.
“There are a lot less student issues and more adult issues,” Meng said, “I have to focus more on the bigger picture now instead of just one academy.”
Meng has already found a way to make an impact on the bigger picture and ensure that all of the academies are being looked after. Meng has presented a new mindset for the school called HOPE.
“Our number one priority is to keep hope alive for all of the students,” Meng said, “We can’t let them lose hope.”
The exact definition of hope is only part of Meng’s mindset, as each letter stands for a different core value he is focused on. These values are honor, ownership, presence and excellence.
“I love the connection between all of them,” Wendi Terpstra, Arts & Comm. teacher, said, “If you really show up and own your education, treating it honorably, it makes excellence.”
Meng is currently focused on the presence piece of the HOPE puzzle.
“Right now, we’re trying to improve attendance,” Meng said, “Making sure every student has a presence is very important because if they don’t show up, it’s much harder to give them hope.”
While Meng is focused on getting students in the classroom, one teacher has left the classroom. With a spot to fill in the Trade & Health office, Logan Bevis has taken over as the new principal of the academy. Bevis was previously a teacher for law and AP US history, as well as the head coach for both girls and boys tennis.
“I miss teaching and coaching a lot,” Bevis said, “If I could do it all and never sleep, I would. It just feels weird not teaching.”
Despite no longer being a teacher, Bevis is still focused on making sure students are doing their best. In order to help this, Bevis is also focusing on improving the presence of students.
“Students may not all enjoy school but it’s their responsibility to show up,” Bevis said, “Students should own their education and show up. There won’t always be people there to help them like our teachers are trying to.”
While Bevis is taking Meng’s old position, he is not replacing him.
“I want to build on the foundation that is here,” Bevis said, “I’m trying to add to the foundation not be a new Meng.”
Meng shares similar sentiments about his new position as head principal.
“I don’t want to just replace Nordby,” Meng said, “I want to build on what he did and continue all the good he was doing. He’s not an easy act to follow.”
Meng and Bevis are settling into their new positions, building on the foundation that was laid out and spreading HOPE.
