March 19, 2024

New principal teaching life lessons on first day

While Tuesday was the first day of school for students in the Newton Community School District, it was also a day of many firsts for Todd Schuster.

It was his first time leading an assembly as a principal, his first chance to address his entire staff and student body in one room and the first time he’s worked in Newton outside of the Berg complex.

Schuster was named the new principal of Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in June and shortly after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, he conducted his first all school assembly to welcome back students, introduce his staff and give them three life lessons.

“You can do just about anything you want if you have these three things. You have to work hard and have a good work ethic. You have to have perseverance. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up. Don’t give up. Work hard, never give up and have good character as well,” Schuster said.

Schuster is living proof that his three lessons can pay off. He has been in the education profession for more than 20 years — 18 of which were in Newton. In that time he’s been a fifth-grade teacher, interim principal, activities director, coach and vice-principal to both Berg buildings.

To further nail his point home about his three lessons, Schuster brought in some of his former students, who are now all attending Newton Senior High School, to talk to his fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

The NHS students represented a number of organizations and spoke to the younger students about why responsibility, good grades, leadership and having a positive attitude were important.

Schuster wrapped up his first  assembly at the helm by going through a few of the school’s policies and some of his expectations. After he dismissed them from the assembly, he periodically stopped a few students and asked them all the same question:

“What’s one of the three?” he said.