USD 231 NAMES NEW PRINCIPAL FOR GARDNER ELEMENTARY

The Gardner Edgerton School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Mr. Jason Watkins as the new Principal of Gardner Elementary at the February 11, Board of Education meeting. Mr. Watkins will assume his duties on July 1, 2013. Gardner Elementary current Principal Pam Tate will assume the position of Principal at the new elementary school.

Mr. Watkins is currently the Principal at Park Hill Elementary School in Derby, Kansas. As the Principal of Park Hill, he has lead his team to the Standard of Excellence level repeatedly, and has gained valuable experience working alongside students with special needs, specifically in the area of Autism. Prior to his current position in Derby, Mr. Watkins served as Principal in the Guymon Public Schools in Guymon, Oklahoma. Under his leadership, staff and students were recipients of a National Blue Ribbon Award, and the 2007 Oklahoma Academic Achievement Award.

Mr. Watkins taught sixth and second grades in Title One schools and has held district wide committee leadership positions as a teacher mentor and student advocate.

Mr. Watkins holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Mid America Nazarene University and a Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, respectively. Mr. Watkins also holds Kansas Elementary K-9; Kansas Building Leadership; Kansas District Leadership; and Oklahoma District Leadership endorsements.

“Mr. Watkins’ varied experience as a teacher, principal, and professional mentor coupled with his expertise in diverse demographics makes him extremely qualified to serve the students of Gardner Elementary,” said Dr. Bill Gilhaus, Superintendent of Schools. “We’re very excited to have Jason join our district team at Gardner Edgerton.”