We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
This past Tuesday, long-time Chinook teacher Kendal Harwood was sworn in by Justice Laird with family on hand to witness the event. Harwood first came to Chinook in the Winter of 2009, where he began substitute teaching while also serving as an assistant coach for the track team. The following year, he began teaching full time at Chinook's Meadowlark Elementary as a Kindergarten teacher.
Following a two-year stint with the Kindergartners, Harwood moved to be a 6th grade teacher. After spending four years in sixth grade, Harwood was moved to the Junior/Senior High School where he taught American History and Art. In 2017, he took over as the junior social studies and junior high math programs up until his resignation, dated Friday, January 12. Harwood was scheduled to take the kids on a ski trip, but the weather forced it to be moved to a later date. Harwood stated that he would certainly take them when the trip is rescheduled.
Harwood's interest in the Blaine County of Schools Superintendent after hearing of Val Whites retirement. "When I heard of Val's resignation, I looked into what the job entailed and felt like it was a good fit. I then took the idea to my wife Kelsie. She immediately thought it was a good idea and supported the decision to apply. In the first part of November, Harwood officially applied. On November 27, Harwood was informed of the decision to hire him. "I made sure that they were under the understanding that I couldn't start until the end of the semester."
The hardest part for Harwood was definitely saying goodbye to the kids. In addition, Harwood looks forward to learning the ins and outs of his new job, "I am very excited to learn every thing the job entails. I'm extremely excited to have Mari Anne Skoyen as my Deputy. Mari Ann is so good, has so much knowledge and has been incredibly helpful in making this transition and I look forward to learning everything I can from her."
The job covers all schools in Blaine County and Harwood wants to have an open-door policy. "I really want to go around to all the schools and learn about each of them. I really want to make sure that they all know I will listen to them and help in any way I can. I have already attended some school board meetings and plan to be a part of each school's board meeting.
Harwood is jumping right in to making his plans a realty, "This week I'll be heading to Turner to introduce myself.Then I will head to Harlem and Hays/Lodge Pole. Next week I'll be attending school board meetings in Harlem, Turner, Bear Paw and Cleveland and plan meetings in Chinook, Zurich and Hays/Lodge Pole.
Harwood's first official day on the job was Tuesday, January 16, "One of my official duties will be getting the Blain County Spelling Bee organized. We need to gather the list of contestants from each school. Mari Anne and I will establish numbers each school is allowed. The number of student in the school has a percentage applied to it the desired number of entries needed for the Blaine County Spelling Bee. The Blaine County Spelling Bee this year will take place on February 13.
