In addition to having a new principal at Perry Elementary School this year, there’s a new associate principal as well.

Joel Martin joined the district this summer.  He most recently worked as a reading teacher in the West Central Valley School District and is looking forward to his first administrative role in Perry.

“Just establishing the culture of respect and relationships with the teachers.  Listening, getting the buy-in and just really working together so we can move forward” says Martin.  “Building on the communication, open and honest.  That’s one of the things I’m really looking forward to and we’ve had opportunities already to do that.”

Martin says he was looking for a district with a diverse population, which makes Perry a great fit.

He also notes that Perry Elementary is a large building compared to many in the state of Iowa with a large student body, so that too presents challenges.

“Working with the logistics of scheduling, different initatives or programs that have worked in the past and how are they working this year and just seek how we can tweak what needs to be tweaked and go with what’s already been working.”

Martin and new principal Trevor Miller seem to get along really well and both say their personalities and outlooks complement each other, so they’re looking forward to a great first year together in Perry.