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New Hamilton principal feels welcome in community, eager to start
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
HAMILTON, Ill. - Hamilton Elementary School's new principal David Snowden is aware he is stepping into a building filled with people who endured two major losses last year: the deaths of Principal Tasha Elliott and physical education teacher, Robert Califf.
He plans to support the staff and students moving forward and acknowledges they still need time to heal.
“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of people welcoming me to the community,” said Snowden. “I've had people on the street come up, introduce themselves and ask what they can do to help me settle in.
“I can tell people here value education and take an active interest in school-related activities.”
Snowden also knows he shares a name with a Warsaw High School teacher, Dave Snowden, who teaches English and Spanish classes.
“We actually met years ago,” he said. “I was coaching a team from LaHarpe and we played in Warsaw. I was sitting on the bench waiting for the game to begin and I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, he said, ‘Dave Snowden, meet Dave Snowden.' It was a strange feeling.”
Hamilton's Snowden comes to this job with four years of experience as elementary principal in Havana, Ill., a year as principal in Barry, Ill., and four years as dean of students at V.I.T. in Table Grove, Ill.
Before taking administrative jobs, Snowden taught 11 years of junior high social studies in various districts in Western Illinois. He also coached baseball and football.
“I like to have fun,” he said. “I enjoy working with kids. This is what I want to do.”
Snowden grew up in Table Grove (southwest of Macomb, Ill.) and knew before college he wanted to work in education.
“My older sister is a teacher,” he said. “I always thought highly of her. Being a teacher and a principal lets me help kids. I really like helping kids.”
Snowden earned sports scholarships to attend college, choosing Graceland College in Lamoni. He played football and baseball while earning his undergraduate degree.
He went to work, and while teaching, he attended classes at Quincy University to earn a master's degree.
“I can't say enough good things about Quincy University,” he said. “They really worked with me to accommodate me and help me earn a master's degree. I was teaching full time and taking classes. It's a great program.”
His least favorite part of working as an administrator is the paperwork.
“There's an endless amount of paperwork from the state,” he said. “It's time for some common sense rules.
“I'm not one to sit at my desk. I like to get out with the students.”
Snowden has met some of the elementary staff and is working on making contact with each one before school begins.
“It's the time of year people take vacations,” he said. “And I'm transitioning. I'll be moving into Hamilton.”
Snowden and all of the elementary teachers will meet on Aug. 18 for Institute Day, the day prior to students' start of school.
“My primary motivation in changing jobs to Hamilton is to work with (Superintendent) Dr. Jim Jackson,” said Snowden. “Eventually, I'd like to work on my superintendent certification. Jim has agreed to work with me, show me the inside.
“I've known him by his good reputation around the state. I was looking for a good superintendent to work with like that.
“This area also has good proximity to higher education.”
Snowden is impressed with Hamilton Elementary School's ISAT scores and likes small town atmospheres to develop relationships.
“The student scores indicate teachers are doing an excellent job,” he said.
“Hopefully, I'll be making a positive difference in students' lives and work with faculty and the community. I'll be involved with parents and want them to be involved.”
Snowden will be at school registration, which is until 6 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
He attended the July school board meeting and heard parents' concerns about class sizes for first and third grades. He reiterated Jackson's statement to wait until after registration to see the number of students signed up for classes. Then the school board can make a decision.
“I understand the parents' concerns,” he said. “I admire the school board members. They have the hard decisions to make.
“I'm highly complimentary of this school board. It is willing to listen and talk with other districts, also.”
Snowden hopes to provide support in multiple ways to his staff, students and parents.
“I want us to work together to do what's good for kids,” he said.
He does not foresee making any changes at the elementary in his first year, however, there are a few new highlights at the school.
Students will use new reading curriculum in grades K-6, which takes a lot of work for teachers, he said.
The elementary has 20 new flat screen, updated computers in its computer lab.
He plans to support the staff and students moving forward and acknowledges they still need time to heal.
“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of people welcoming me to the community,” said Snowden. “I've had people on the street come up, introduce themselves and ask what they can do to help me settle in.
“I can tell people here value education and take an active interest in school-related activities.”
Snowden also knows he shares a name with a Warsaw High School teacher, Dave Snowden, who teaches English and Spanish classes.
“We actually met years ago,” he said. “I was coaching a team from LaHarpe and we played in Warsaw. I was sitting on the bench waiting for the game to begin and I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, he said, ‘Dave Snowden, meet Dave Snowden.' It was a strange feeling.”
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Before taking administrative jobs, Snowden taught 11 years of junior high social studies in various districts in Western Illinois. He also coached baseball and football.
“I like to have fun,” he said. “I enjoy working with kids. This is what I want to do.”
Snowden grew up in Table Grove (southwest of Macomb, Ill.) and knew before college he wanted to work in education.
“My older sister is a teacher,” he said. “I always thought highly of her. Being a teacher and a principal lets me help kids. I really like helping kids.”
Snowden earned sports scholarships to attend college, choosing Graceland College in Lamoni. He played football and baseball while earning his undergraduate degree.
He went to work, and while teaching, he attended classes at Quincy University to earn a master's degree.
“I can't say enough good things about Quincy University,” he said. “They really worked with me to accommodate me and help me earn a master's degree. I was teaching full time and taking classes. It's a great program.”
His least favorite part of working as an administrator is the paperwork.
“There's an endless amount of paperwork from the state,” he said. “It's time for some common sense rules.
“I'm not one to sit at my desk. I like to get out with the students.”
Snowden has met some of the elementary staff and is working on making contact with each one before school begins.
“It's the time of year people take vacations,” he said. “And I'm transitioning. I'll be moving into Hamilton.”
Snowden and all of the elementary teachers will meet on Aug. 18 for Institute Day, the day prior to students' start of school.
“My primary motivation in changing jobs to Hamilton is to work with (Superintendent) Dr. Jim Jackson,” said Snowden. “Eventually, I'd like to work on my superintendent certification. Jim has agreed to work with me, show me the inside.
“I've known him by his good reputation around the state. I was looking for a good superintendent to work with like that.
“This area also has good proximity to higher education.”
Snowden is impressed with Hamilton Elementary School's ISAT scores and likes small town atmospheres to develop relationships.
“The student scores indicate teachers are doing an excellent job,” he said.
“Hopefully, I'll be making a positive difference in students' lives and work with faculty and the community. I'll be involved with parents and want them to be involved.”
Snowden will be at school registration, which is until 6 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
He attended the July school board meeting and heard parents' concerns about class sizes for first and third grades. He reiterated Jackson's statement to wait until after registration to see the number of students signed up for classes. Then the school board can make a decision.
“I understand the parents' concerns,” he said. “I admire the school board members. They have the hard decisions to make.
“I'm highly complimentary of this school board. It is willing to listen and talk with other districts, also.”
Snowden hopes to provide support in multiple ways to his staff, students and parents.
“I want us to work together to do what's good for kids,” he said.
He does not foresee making any changes at the elementary in his first year, however, there are a few new highlights at the school.
Students will use new reading curriculum in grades K-6, which takes a lot of work for teachers, he said.
The elementary has 20 new flat screen, updated computers in its computer lab.
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concerned parent wrote on Aug 21, 2008 3:49 PM:
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/ipava-il/TFJ1ANCOJH5UD2AHB
http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=122341 "