Seth Heide’s commitment to Eudora Elementary and the respect he has garnered throughout the community were main reasons why he was selected as the next principal, school officials said Friday.
Heide was named the new elementary principal in a unanimous vote during the School Board meeting Thursday.
He has been the assistant principal of Eudora Elementary School since 2013. The Eudora Times has messages out to Heide for comment.
The new assistant principal will be Jamie Grado, a first-grade teacher at Eudora Elementary. Grado has worked in the district for 16 years. Her goal is to make the best out of each student. Grado has always wanted to be a leader and dreamed of a job in an administrative role.
“The great thing about our building here is there is so much that can be done inside the walls and outside the walls that I feel will take the initiative to make our school even better than what it is and more innovative, thinking outside the box, just success all around,” Grado said. “Taking it to the next level of really utilizing and bringing the best out of what this building has to offer.”
The hiring committee consisted of eight elementary teachers and Superintendent Stu Moeckel. After considering the four candidates, the board chose Heide to replace Susan Tinich.
“He will be a great fit and be able to know the culture, and his service and dedication to our school is without question. We are excited for Seth to get started,” Moeckel said.
Board member Joe Hurla feels the board respected the work the committee did to weigh in and conduct interviews. Hurla thinks Heide has been a steady and inspiring individual as assistant principal and will continue to do so as principal.
“It made a lot of sense with that vacancy for him to step up and take on a greater leadership role at the elementary school,” Hurla said. “He has a commitment to Eudora Elementary School.”
Board member Mark Chrislip feels that since Heide has been in the district a long time, he is well respected in the community and building.
“I think it’s always good to hire from within,” Chrislip said. “He has definitely proven himself over the years.”
Heide and Grado will begin the positions July 1.
Heide has previously taught seventh and eighth grade Spanish and social studies, according to his staff bio page on the Eudora Schools website.
He served as children’s ministries director at his church prior to teaching in Eudora and has degrees in elementary and middle education and education administration from the University of Kansas.
“At Eudora Elementary, we are blessed with a staff who works hard to best serve our students, and makes our school a fun, friendly, safe and challenging learning environment where children are valued, feel valued and anticipate returning to EES day after day,” he said on his website. “With your help, our goal every day is to be a positive and caring influence in children’s lives, impacting what kind of citizen, worker, parent and spouse they will be someday.”
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected].
