Changes are afoot at Keshequa Middle School / High School, starting with new principal Kermit Moyer. Moyer, a school administrator who comes from Chenango Valley Central School District in Binghamton, brings new ideas and a fresh perspective to the long-established school.
Moyer, who succeeds former principal Mark Mattle, prior to coming to the Keshequa Central School District, was the Assistant Principal 7-12 (over 800 students) and director of health physical education and athletics for Chenango Valley. He was there from 2007 until starting his principalship at the Keshequa Middle School/High School.
Not unfamiliar to Keshequa, Moyer is originally from Wayland, a 1984 graduate, who openly shares was a primary reason he pursued the Keshequa position. He explained, "to return closer to home, back to home base and be with family, and that was really important to us."
Moyer officially began at Keshequa on Aug. 31 where he had essentially one working day before school opened for the 2012-13 year. He stated "I was happy I was here for the opening, that was very helpful, and the welcome has been very positive." He explained moving into this leadership role. "We have an excellent administrative team. Working with Superintendant Don Covell, Elementary Principal Ami Hunt, Pupil Personnel Director Tina Mileham, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kelly White. I like the dynamics of this group and feeling we will work very collaboratively" he explained.
Upwards around 30 applications, then followed by interviews for the principalship were extremely high and very competitive according to Keshequa superintendent Donald Covell. In acknowledging capabilities that made Moyer the selection, Superintendent Covell shared, "It was competitive and at the end almost made you wish we had two openings. Kermit rose to the top and has the kind of background needed, good insights, he is a good communicator, strong prioritization, quick to introduce himself, and you can tell that he genuinely likes kids. He is settling in the community, which is good. I am very excited. "
He is comfortable talking about his prior familiarization with the Keshequa Central School District, saying, "I had heard a lot of very good things about the District," and recalled favorably competing against Keshequa in a few sports when he was a Wayland High School student in cross-country, basketball, and track and field. When asked if anyone had to assist him with pronouncing Keshequa, he remarked with a smile "no, thankfully I had that going for me."
Changes are afoot at Keshequa Middle School / High School, starting with new principal Kermit Moyer. Moyer, a school administrator who comes from Chenango Valley Central School District in Binghamton, brings new ideas and a fresh perspective to the long-established school.
Moyer, who succeeds former principal Mark Mattle, prior to coming to the Keshequa Central School District, was the Assistant Principal 7-12 (over 800 students) and director of health physical education and athletics for Chenango Valley. He was there from 2007 until starting his principalship at the Keshequa Middle School/High School.
Not unfamiliar to Keshequa, Moyer is originally from Wayland, a 1984 graduate, who openly shares was a primary reason he pursued the Keshequa position. He explained, "to return closer to home, back to home base and be with family, and that was really important to us."
Moyer officially began at Keshequa on Aug. 31 where he had essentially one working day before school opened for the 2012-13 year. He stated "I was happy I was here for the opening, that was very helpful, and the welcome has been very positive." He explained moving into this leadership role. "We have an excellent administrative team. Working with Superintendant Don Covell, Elementary Principal Ami Hunt, Pupil Personnel Director Tina Mileham, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kelly White. I like the dynamics of this group and feeling we will work very collaboratively" he explained.
Upwards around 30 applications, then followed by interviews for the principalship were extremely high and very competitive according to Keshequa superintendent Donald Covell. In acknowledging capabilities that made Moyer the selection, Superintendent Covell shared, "It was competitive and at the end almost made you wish we had two openings. Kermit rose to the top and has the kind of background needed, good insights, he is a good communicator, strong prioritization, quick to introduce himself, and you can tell that he genuinely likes kids. He is settling in the community, which is good. I am very excited. "
He is comfortable talking about his prior familiarization with the Keshequa Central School District, saying, "I had heard a lot of very good things about the District," and recalled favorably competing against Keshequa in a few sports when he was a Wayland High School student in cross-country, basketball, and track and field. When asked if anyone had to assist him with pronouncing Keshequa, he remarked with a smile "no, thankfully I had that going for me."
Moyer said he has definitely had a chance to feel the deep sense of tradition and is committed to the balance of athletics and academics. "The athletic programs are important here, the community supports them very much so, that’s an important piece. I want to continue to build on the outstanding things going on here academically as well and that’s really important."
Building on his administrator experience and awareness of the direction of education he has set goals for the Keshequa Middle School/High School. A primary goal he said is to share a vision and show support for all curricular programs whether they are academic in nature or co-curricular.
Moyer explained his ‘spin-up’ having been in the position for just over three weeks, he has met with the teaching staff, each grade of students, and is almost complete with meeting each department. He shared "not having a lot of time to prepare for this role, I have prioritized what I needed to accomplish first and now have begun getting out to each classroom." He has experienced some amazing teachers, teaching methods, and student participation in some of the classrooms.
Moyer emphasized the importance of partnerships in keeping the school running smoothly and as an integral part of the community. "We really all have to be on the same page as what our mission and values are" he explains. On the school website one of the statements reads ‘Excellence in Education’. "As an Administrator, we are only going to be able to do that with good, collaborative conversations with the students, and the community and the parents." He continued "internally my experience has been to see that Keshequa has that, some very compassionate, caring people who really are student centered, and (he) feels absolutely we need to continue to foster that with the parents and our community-at-large." Reflecting on each students climb towards graduation and their successful futures, Moyer was passionate to share "internally we are going to challenge our students, have high expectations for their behavior and their academic progress."
Opening communication and maximizing opportunities to connect with the community, parents and stakeholders are important to Moyer. He said the hope for many communities, including what he sees at Keshequa, is that each community genuinely wants an exemplary school district. Moyer explained, "based on what we can offer with resources, services , technology, our school enrollment numbers, and academic programs and co-curriculars, we want the community to be proud of us." So collaborative partnerships are vital.
There are a few challenges. Being able to hit the ground running Moyer feels fortunate to arrive with relevant experiences and feeling comfortable where he has held a variety of leadership roles. He sees one of the biggest challenges as "making the needed connections and meeting our families. My daughter goes to school here and I’ve met families through her. I’ve been able to enjoy a few athletic events and meet some more people. Being connected to the community, really connected, is a slow process but it is happening and I’m excited about that." He further shared "we’re soon to be living here, so that is also going to lend itself to knowing the community and families."
Moyer hopes the community takes interest to attend the Welcome Reception on Thursday evening, Sept. 27, from 6-7 p.m. in the KCS Middle/School High School media center. He shared, "I’m looking forward to it, and know that it is just before our School Board meeting, but I’m interested to meet each visitor." This will be the second time he has had a scheduled community meet-and-greet. Earlier this Fall he was a guest at the Student-Athlete-Parent meeting where, after being introduced, attendees could begin to put a name and a face to the new principal.
