OROVILLE-Oroville School District has found a new elementary school principal that hails from the “show me” state of Missouri.
“After going through the interview process last Friday, as well as doing background checks today, I am pleased to announce that our new elementary school principal for the 2011/12 school year will be Joan Hoehn,” writes Superintendent Steve Quick in a release last Monday
Supt. Quick adds that the new principal’s name is pronounced like “Joanne Hain.” The superintendent said he was “very excited” to be bringing Hoehn’s name forward to the school board at their July board meeting for final approval.
“She interviewed extremely well. I spoke with administrators as well as teachers that have worked with her for the past several years and everybody commented on her high energy, strong work ethic, great personality and high level of intelligence. Everybody stated that we will enjoy working with her and that she will be greatly missed,” writes Quick, who thanked the interview team that met with the candidates, as well as PTO and its members who met with them as well.
Hoehn replaces Gary Pringle who resigned from the position following a year with the Oroville School District. Hoehn was on hand at the district office last Tuesday morning preparing to take a tour of the elementary school with Supt. Quick and said she was excited that she and her husband, T. Grant, would be moving to the area.
“I chose to come to Washington from Missouri after coming here with a teen 4-H exchange group four years ago. I really made some dear friends who live in upper Toroda Creek,” said the new principal.
The 4-H exchange took place in Ferry County, but Hoehn was “farmed-out” to Okanogan County staying with a host family that lived just over the county line, she explained.
“I come from a rural community and was looking for a rural community like Oroville,” she said, adding that she likes teachers and students alike.
Hoehn, who has a Washington State Principal Certificate, received her Master’s Degree in Educational Administrations from Williams Woods University and her Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education from Harding University.
Most recently she was the curriculum director and reading coach for the school at Eugene, Missouri. She was also the Elementary Substitute principal for grades PK to sixth.
Prior to that she was a second grade classroom teacher for six years and had taught first grade for a year. She is also certified to teach K-8 in Missouri.
In her resume cover letter she wrote, “I am certain, with my knowledge of early childhood education, experience in a classroom, advanced education in reading, team building and leadership skills; I could be a valuable asset to your students, teachers and the community.”
In addition to her husband T. Grant, Hoehn has two college-age children, Joshua who is 20-years-old and Malissa who is 18-years-old. Both attend Harding University in Arkansas, but will be spending the summer in Oroville with their parents.
