New principal at work at WHS

Dan Casler, 35, has just finished his first month as Wahkiakum High School’s interim principal.

Casler is from Olympia and, for the present, commutes to work several days a week. He has taught for the past eight years in the Olympia school district and did his undergraduate work at The Evergreen State College.

In 2000 he received his high school teaching certificate from Western State. “I’ve taught math and science for the last nine years in the Olympia School District,” said Casler.

He said he received his administrative training through the Heritage University in Seattle. He did a three year administrative internship while he continued to teach.

“I’ve been doing preparatory work leading to this position for the last three years,” said Casler.

Early in the interview Casler joshed about his looks. His youthful appearance could be easily mistaken for one of the high school students.

“Oh, yeah, like I’ve never heard that before,” he joked.

Casler said he found the Wahkiakum principal’s job posted on the internet and he called Wahkiakum School Superintendent Bob Garrett to ask why the job was only a one-year position. “Bob told me it was a budget concern and that it was mainly due to decreased enrollment,” said Casler.

Garrett told Casler the school district needed help with its math and science programs. Casler said after talking with Garrett he realized the job was almost made for him.

“I’ve worked with math reform for years,” said Casler, “and the more we talked about how this was an instruction-based school system and the direction the district wanted to go, it all fit.”

Casler said what really sold him on coming to Wahkiakum was the district’s desire for instruction-based school teaching techniques. He said he philosophically wanted to be where he could “make a difference” and he liked the idea of working in a district where the school’s first priorities were working with students.

Casler has taken time to meet all the teachers. He said he quickly realized how lucky the district is because the teachers work hard “wearing multiple hats” and some teachers teach up to five different classes.

“After meeting with them I realized they already have a game plan for this year,” said Casler. “For me that’s important and my number one priority - supporting teachers.”

He’s concerned is that over the next few years public schools will be tested and asked to identify their core-values.

“As you know, public schools are faced with dealing with every social, economic and political issue,” said Casler, “and it becomes a question of, ‘How do we address that?”

Casler said he comes from a school with 2000 students but believes smaller schools create more opportunities for teachers to be effective educators. “The volume of students in a large school makes it difficult for the school to have a mission or direction,” said Casler, “and as a principal I think it’s important for a school to have those.”

Casler said one benefit of being at Wahkiakum is that he can make sure students get the courses they will need to be successful. He said another part of his mission will be to help students learn about the mental tools they need to reach their expectations.

Each year teachers are faced with a variety of challenges. Casler said as principal it’s his duty to keep the school focused on instruction and to make sure students are ready for the world after the twelfth grade.

“As a teacher it's easy to sometimes forget that that’s the ultimate goal,” said Casler.

Another of his goals as principal is to create a sense of community. In particular, he said he feels Wahkiakum High School is a community hub which gives the county a leg up on other communities.

“It’s clear to me this community is very active in the school. We have people coming and going here at the school all summer, it’s not quiet and that’s good,” he said.

Casler said another of his projects will be to continue to improve the high school’s online learning program begun by former Principal Loren Davis. Casler said virtual schooling gives students the chance to take classes not available in high school.

“It’s also attractive to students because it lets them pick the time and the class they need,” said Casler.

Casler said he welcomes the community, parents and students to come and ask questions.

“I want to make every student feel connected in some way,” said Casler, “and that’s an important part of my role."

Incoming freshmen should be prepared for an intense school year. Casler said the state is about to implement tougher requirements on ninth graders.

“There is a science test coming up that our ninth graders will have to pass before graduating,” said Casler. He said the science test will be harder than the end of course math test they will also have to pass.

Adding to the confusion, Casler said the new standards for twelfth graders will be different from tenth graders, which will again be different from eighth graders. The new testing methods will be equally hard on the parents, especially families with three-to-four kids in school.

“The new rules are things like: the math test can only be given during the last three weeks of school and that means students won’t be given their scores until sometime in August,” said Casler.

This will also make it challenging for teachers because they need to know if kids have passed so they’ll know who needs to take what the following year.

Casler said if the district can’t hire him back next year, working in Wahkiakum will have been a valuable professional experience. Casler is married with two children. He likes to camp, fish and hike.