David N. Wick
Candidate for 2017 Vice President
Principal of Columbia Falls Junior High School in Columbia Falls, Montana
“The Principal–The Key to a Successful School”
Being a principal is undoubtedly a very challenging, complex profession. As Malcolm Gladwell states, “The best jobs are inherently mysterious.” Thank you for taking on this mysterious and challenging job for the betterment of school children throughout the United States. In every one of the schools I have visited during my career, I have seen dedicated professionals who have given their all to a common goal—student success. However, one thing has been a common thread: Great schools need great principals.
I feel that the public school is the last truly democratic institution left in our society. Students who come from any background, ethnic group, socioeconomic status, religion, or ability have the opportunity to become anything and anyone they want to be. Every day in our schools, the expertise and energy of over three million teachers is given to their students. Each day, school personnel look to their principals for leadership, encouragement, and inspiration. I am proud to be a principal.
I have been a member of the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals and NAESP for the past 21 years. I can truly say that these professional associations have been key to any successes our school has experienced during my time as a building leader. The relationships and mentoring I have received from my fellow principals have truly enriched my professional and personal life beyond measure. They have become family, as we have shared tragedies and triumphs, success and failure, and through it all held the indomitable belief that what we are doing truly makes a difference.
Public education to me is not a job, not a profession, but a mission. When I was a child, we didn’t have much, but we always had enough. Going to college was a given, and my parents sacrificed much to make that dream a reality for my siblings and me. I advocate every day, with our parents and community, to show our commitment to the young people of our school and community. I advocate at the state and federal level for funding to provide for the myriad opportunities needed for our students to succeed, and for policies that do not rely on a test score to judge students and schools, but instead reasonably set high expectations and provide critical assistance to help schools succeed.
I believe that professional organizations need to listen and respond to their members. The members are the Association, and the positive vision for the future of the principalship should be a direct reflection of the principals in the field.
In my job as principal and as a member of the NAESP board, I have remembered the words of Steve Scanlon, “With every word, every nonverbal cue, every action, you leave each person you come across either a little better or a little worse.” With that in mind, I would be honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve you as the Vice President of NAESP.
Professional Preparation: Doctoral coursework completed (all but dissertation), Educational Leadership and Supervision; University of Montana, 1994 — M.Ed., Education (Emphasis in Educational Administration and Supervision), University of Montana, 1993 — Graduate study in writing/composition, Carleton College, 1991 — Graduate study in writing/composition, Hamline University, 1990 — Graduate study in English and education, St. Cloud State University, 1988-90 — BA, English Education, Minor in Business Administration, Concordia College, 1980 — Great Falls High School, Great Falls, Montana, 1976
Professional Experience: Columbia Falls School District 6, 1997-Present (Junior High Principal; Director of Elementary Education; Various on-going and project-based committee leadership) — Whitefish School District 44, Whitefish, MT, 1994-1997(Assistant Principal, Central School; Technology Committee Chair; Gifted and Talented Building Coordinator; Head Girls Basketball Coach) — University of Montana, 1993-1994 (Curriculum Leadership Program Coordinator, Academy for Curriculum Leadership and Technology; First graduate assistant in Educational Leadership at the University of Montana) — Brainerd High School, Brainerd, MN, 1987-1993 (Classroom English Teacher; Advanced Placement Language and Composition Teacher; Site At-Risk Coordinator and Instructor; Student Government Advisor and Leadership Instructor; English Department Chair; Assistant Girls Basketball Coach; Junior High Football Coach) — Hope Public School, Hope, ND, 1982-1986 (Classroom English Teacher; English Department Head; Newspaper Staff Advisor; Head Girls Basketball Coach; Head, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach) — Alma Public School, Alma, WI, 1980-1981 (Classroom English Teacher; English Department Head; Head Girls Basketball Coach)
Professional Affiliations: NAESP, 1994-Present (Middle Level Director, At Large, 2012-2016) —Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals (MAEMSP), 1994-Present (Middle School State Representative, 2010-Present) — School Administrators of Montana, 1994-Present —Western Montana Principals, 2003-Present
Other Positions: North Valley Hospital, 2011-2013 (Board Member, 2011-2013; Strategic Planning Committee Member, 2011-2013) — Member, Christ Lutheran Church — United Way of the Flathead Valley, 2000-2009 (Board President 2008-2009; Strategic Planning Chair, 2003-2009; Board Member, 2000-2009) — Whitefish Parks and Recreation Youth Coach —Whitefish Yetis Basketball Founder and Coach — Glacier Babe Ruth Baseball coach — Glacier Babe Ruth and Whitefish Baseball All-Star Coach — Whitefish Little Dribblers Volunteer — Whitefish Baseball Coach — Flathead Valley Little Guy Football Coach — Flathead County Summer League Youth Basketball Coach
Professional Accomplishments: National Distinguished Principal, 2012 (MAEMSP/NAESP) — Montana Distinguished Principal Award, 2011 (MAEMSP) — Montana Distinguished Title I School, 2007 & 2011 (Office of Public Instruction) — Principal Leadership Academy, 1999 (Tointon Institute for Educational Change) — Montana Class A Coach of the Year Nominee, 1995 —Brainerd Teacher of the Year Finalist, 1991-1992 — Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 1992 — North Dakota State Coach of the Year Nominee, 1984 & 1985 — North Dakota Region 2 Coach of the Year, 1984 & 1985 — North Dakota District 5 Coach of the Year, 1984 & 1985
Distinctive Qualities: Columbia Falls Junior High’s instructional program has been at the forefront of innovation in Montana for many years. From a cultural standpoint, our school instituted the Montana Behavioral Initiative when the program was in its infancy. We have also instituted the Olweus anti-bullying program, a nationally known program developed by the Hazelden Foundation. These elements have led to a safe and orderly learning environment at our school.
Our instructional program had been recognized in our state for improvement of test scores, twice winning the Distinguished Title One School award (in 2007 and 2011.) These instructional improvements have been accomplished through a variety of elements. We have been studying the work of Dr. Robert Marzano for the past fifteen years. Teachers have been trained in a variety of elements as well as administrative training. One example was a thorough study of Marzano’s Art and Science of Teaching. We trained in the work of Richard Stiggins in developing an understanding of assessment for learning, as well as Ken O’Connor’s work in standards based grading. The teacher collaboration has been enhanced by the use of the Dufour’s work in Professional Learning Communities. We have also utilized elements of Response to Intervention, Backwards Design, and the work of Mike Schmoker.
This comprehensive, collaborative process has led to the distinctive qualities of the instructional program at Columbia Falls Junior High.
Attendance and Participation: NAESP Annual Conference, 2011-2016 — NAESP National Leaders Conference, 2012-2016 — National Distinguished Principals Event, 2012-2016 — NAESP Board of Directors Meetings, 2013-2016