Principal bids farewell to Central
 It was an unconventional turn in a life during which Kevan has more than once taken “The Road Less Traveled.’’ Kevan, then a La Grande High School administrator, was named Central Elementary School’s new principal in 2000. Kevan may have seemed an unlikely choice to some. He was highly regarded but did not have a background in elementary education.“I did not know anything about elementary curriculum, but I did know good teaching,’’ Kevan said. A decade later it is apparent that school district officials made a wise choice. Thanks in no small part of Kevan, Central continues to be a shining light in the La Grande School District. Its students annually have high overall scores on state assessment tests, the Oregon Department of Education awards high marks to Central in its annual report card ratings, the school’s PTA is exceptionally active and productive and there is more, much more. Central is in excellent shape as Kevan prepares to hand its reins to Reta Doland, who is moving here from Alaska to succeed Kevan as the school’s next principal. Kevan is set to retire at the end of the month following a 34-year education career. Kevan’s road to Central was unconventional and not just because of his absence of an elementary education background. Kevan did not begin pursuing a career in education until after graduating from Bucknell University in 1974 with a degree in animal science. He worked as a chef for a year in Snowmass, Colo., before entering the University of Oregon where he earned his teaching certificate and later a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Kevan began his teaching career at Ganado High School on a Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona. At Ganado High School Kevan was one of a handful of Caucasians, and at 6-foot, 4-inches, a relative giant among the Navajos, few of whom are over 5-9. “I learned what it was like to be a minority,’’ Kevan said. He describes the Navaho as a quiet people. “They are very reserved in friendships,’’ Kevan said. “When you go there (to Ganado High School) you expect to be watched.’’ “I never figured out what they were watching for, but if they decided you were OK, then you would have some of the greatest friends in the world.’’ Kevan was given a significant measure of freedom while teaching at Ganado High School. “Teachers were not told to teach a certain way. We were allowed to use our own style as long we got results,’’ Kevan said. Kevan and his colleagues succeeded at Ganado High, a lesson which shaped the perspective of the future school administrator. “Teachers who are committed to doing well for kids will do it. You don’t have to tell them how,’’ Kevan said. The educator always reminded himself of this at Central, where he made a point of giving his staff a measure of freedom. “He is not a micro manager. He has confidence that they (Central’s teachers and staff) can do the job,’’ said Connie Ingerson, a secretary at Central. Kevan said he is stepping down because he no longer has the stamina needed to take care of his job and family responsibilities. “I don’t have the energy level to do it all,’’ he said. “I can’t keep up with my staff.’’ This comment is vintage Kevan, who speaks at every opportunity with pride of the dedication of his school’s staff, parents and volunteers. “He is so quick to affirm that he values the things you are doing,’’ Ingerson said. Central fourth-grade teacher Barb Ely echoes this sentiment. “You always feel so appreciated. He validates us,’’ Ely said. One reason Kevan may speak of his ebbing energy level is that he, like many principals, made it a point to attend every school play, carnival, concert, bingo night and more. The proof is in Central’s collection of activity photos. “He is in the pictures we have of every event,’’ Ingerson said. Kevan was also at almost every recess where he officiated student football games and more. “I kept reffing the games because I wanted the boys to learn to be good sports and for them to be safe,’’ Kevan said. “Safety is always the most important thing.’’ The principal has made a point of being with the students not just on the playground but in the hallway and outside’s Central’s entrance before and after school. “To be a better educator you have to be where the kids are.’’ Kevan was a frequent classroom visitor, dropping in on each of Central’s classrooms every school day. Observations Kevan made during the visits were a part of his performance evaluations. Ely said that the evaluations Kevan provided to teachers were extraordinary because of their depth and perceptiveness. “He knows good teaching skills,’’ Ely said. The evaluations revealed Kevan’s analytical mind, something people reference frequently when asked about Kevan. La Grande School District Superintendent Larry Glaze said Kevan is always an asset at administrative staff meetings because of this intellectual quality. “He is such an analytical thinker. He has provided a strong logical problem solving approach at our team meetings,’’ Glaze said. “He has been a great asset.’’ La Grande High School Principal Boon Setser echoes this feeling, and he also marvels at Kevan’s ability to connect with people regardless of the topic. “He can talk to people on many different levels, whether it is differentiated instruction or catching trout,’’ Setser said. Angling, specifically fly fishing, is one of Kevan’s favorite hobbies but he has not had time to do it for years because of job and family responsibilities. Fly fishing is something, Kevan, who intends to stay in La Grande, plans to do more of after retiring. Kevan credits his wife Karen with playing an important role in helping him keep a proper balance and not letting his job consume him. “My wife keeps my head on straight. She is always reminding me that the most important thing is my family.’’ People always come first for the Central principal, whether at home or work. “He is as good a man as you are going to find,’’ Ely said. Setser, like many others, echoes this sentiment. “He has a heck of a heart,’’ Setser said. “You can just tell he has a heart for people.’’ Kevan speaks of his 10 years paradoxically. He describes them as so stressful that he sometimes had sleepless nights, but also found the 10 years immensely enjoyable. “The fun balances it out ... I love working with kids. Oh it is so much fun to watch them grow up.’’ During the final week of the school year Kevan told The Observer, “I get to come and play with 400 kids every day. If you have not done it you have missed out.’’ |
2 comments:
That's a great article! Please keep a copy for us to put in our family scrapbook!
Congratz Dad. You you Mc Rock!
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