March 29, 2024

Shared values

Meet new PCM Middle School Principal Wade Van Vark

With the same shared values on education and kids, new PCM Middle School Principal Wade Van Vark felt coming to the district was a good fit. After teaching in Pella for the past 19 years, he is bringing his vast amount of experience to his neighbors to the west.

“The biggest thing that interested me was the fact that it was in a district that I was somewhat familiar with,” Van Vark said. “A community that has shared values on education, on kids, that I have and had experience with at Pella. I felt good about it, knew several people who worked here, went to school here and it was something that, in all honesty, when it came open it was put on my heart that it was a place I wanted to be.”

A Pella native, Van Vark received his education at Central College before starting his teaching career at Pella High School. While there, he taught math for several years before moving into an instruction coach position for kids in grades 7 through 12. During his last few years at Pella, he also became dean of students which put him in charge of disciplinary oversight for the senior class, along with scheduling and additional administrative tasks.

Leaving his home town and starting in a new position, Van Vark said he is excited, especially with the recent renovation the school underwent.

“When I walked up to see the renovation, the new link and the connection between the two buildings and all of the new construction, it is just amazing,” Van Vark said. “What an amazing facility to walk through and see all of the updates and the new opportunities that will be provided for kids here. As a new principal to walk in and have that kind of facility at your disposal is pretty awesome.”

Van Vark said he first met the staff after visiting the building at the end of the school year in June. Since then, he has been coming in a few times a week to get better acquainted with the school, with his first official day in the position Aug. 1.

“Getting to spend some time with some of the staff members, being in the building, meeting with them, talking, the biggest thing I have noticed is just how genuine everybody is, how much they really care about the students and how they learn,” Van Vark said. “It has been awesome to walk into that kind of setting where there is that much importance placed on the students and their success. It is something I am really looking forward to working with.”

As he continues to work with staff and students, Van Vark said he is going to evaluate the practices at the school to see what is working and where adjustments could be made. While he does have a lot of experience in a variety of areas, Van Vark wants to do what is right for PCM, the students and the community.

“I have lots of ideas, there are lots of things I have tried, things I have been through and seen implemented. I don’t know if those are right for PCM, though,” Van Vark said. “To come in and say I would change and do right away, yes, there are things I am excited about trying to get going in the district and in the building, but I want to make sure they are good fits for PCM, the kids and the staff before I would just throw that out there and say this is the way we are going to do things.”

Along with his family, Van Vark is interested in the extra curricular activities at the school, as well. From football, basketball and baseball to band, drama and everything in between, Van Vark is ready to get involved, get to know the kids and their families and become a real part of the community.

“The more I am out in the community, the more I am seeing people as they come in, it feels like a great place to be, the right fit and I am very excited about things to come and working with everybody here. I am really happy to be here.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com