Schools Benefit From Principals’ Experience
The administrative experience of Wolf Point’s building principals is beneficial to area students at the start of this school year.
Kim Hanks has been the Wolf Point High School principal for 13 years. Prior to that, she served as the dean of students for the high school/junior high building for three years. She was a teacher in Wolf Point for five years.
Hanks said one of the best opportunities for Wolf Point High School’s juniors and seniors is being able to take dual credit classes. Through a partnership with Fort
Peck Community College, the high school students now have complete access to all on-line materials.
“I’m always excited for the number of dual credit courses that we have for juniors and seniors,” Hanks said.
Starting to work with a new math curriculum is also a positive opportunity for students. Hanks is grateful that Wolf Point High School features an experienced staff. There are no first-year teachers at the high school this fall.
She is currently serving as the high school’s and junior high school’s principal.
“I’m excited for the challenge of doing both,” Hanks said.
Georgie Gourneau has now served as Northside Elementary School’s principal for three full years.
Prior to coming to Wolf Point, Gourneau gained nine years of experience as an educator in Poplar. She taught kindergarten for five years, conducted reading intervention at the high school and then taught sixth grade for a year.
Gourneau said she is excited about the upcoming year as Northside is moving forward with new reading, writing and math curriculums.
In addition, a re-implementation of the PAX good behavior games will take place. Gourneau said the program manages behavior and helps students self regulate.
The PAX program stresses Peace, Productivity, Health and Happiness.
Gourneau explained that the Roosevelt County Health Department sponsored the program for three years. Now, MSU-Northern has formed partnerships with schools from Browning to Poplar.
Northside features three new teachers this year for fourth grade, fifth grade and physical education/health.
Although she’s new to Wolf Point, Southside Elementary School principal Tara Thomas is entering her 11th year as an administrator.
She has served as a superintendent in Scobey, Mandaree, N.D., and Warwick, N.D.
GourneauGeorgie Gourneau (right) is beginning her fourth year as the principal at Northside Elementary School. (Photo by Bill Vander Weele)
