PCM welcoming new superintendent Aaron Becker

New PCM superintendent Aaron Becker has been hard at work since starting in July. He is meeting with staff, getting to know the communities and learning about what being at PCM looks like going into the next school year.

With all of that on his desk, the most exciting part for Becker is yet to come.

“It is a reality the excitement is the kids. That is why we are here,” Becker said. “You will hear me a lot saying ‘student focused, student driven decisions.’ Those students that do come through the front door, that is the most important commodity we have in the whole district. When we have students come there the door, there is tons of hope that comes through the door. They are hoping for a great school year. They are hoping that our dedicated staff and help kids find their passion area.”

In his 26th year in education, Becker didn’t start out thinking he would be an educator. After taking business classes in college, he realized that was the path he was meant to go down.

“I was sitting in a macroeconomics class and decided this wasn’t quite what I thought it was going to be,” Becker said. “My older brother was in elementary education. I was close with him, we were at the same college and he’s three years apart from me and I thought ‘that’s what I want to do, I want to be with kids.’ I had to make that decision in college and made a major shift to elementary education.”

Following graduation, Becker taught third, fifth and sixth grades before beginning his next chapter as an administrator. While he thoroughly enjoyed working with a smaller group of kids, he felt like he had a chance to make a bigger impact on a larger group of students

“I started the process of applying for positions and landed a Pre-K through 8 principal position,” Becker said. “That just furthered the interest in trying to impact students in a larger way. I enjoyed teaching those 20-25 kids I had in a classroom but I felt like I had an opportunity to impact students and communities in a larger way.”

He served in several school districts as a principal and eventually superintendent before looking for a chance that focused on family. With a daughter in the Des Moines area and son in Ames, he knew a district in central Iowa was ideal for his family.

“To be real honest, family was a big part of it,” Becker said. “I was really selective in where I looked. We felt like this was a spot that was somewhat in between. Not so close but close enough to family.”

PCM wasn’t an unknown to Becker. He had heard about the district during his time at school in southeast Iowa.

“I know there is high academic standards. They really well with activities whether it is athletics or the fine arts,” Becker said. “Also, the small community. I am from a community that was maybe 1,000 people when I grew up. Small town communities are what I know, it’s what I am comfortable with. I know how important schools are to small communities and I like the challenge of bringing the two communities together as one to be PCM.”

Coming to the district, he has a few focuses that reach across the entire state. One big challenge is enrollment into the school.

“Enrollment is one challenge that many districts across the state are feeling at this time, especially with the funding formula is student driven,” Becker said. “There has been a slight decline of enrollment the last few years here. That is something we have to think about, how do we retain the families that are here, but also how do we attract families from other families and bring them here as our students.”

Looking at what sets PCM apart from area districts, analyzing the districts programs and seeing what PCM can offer in the future to compete with area schools are a few ways looks to tackle the issue. Being in his first few months, he knows he can’t just jump in head first with a list of priorities, but instead listen and learn about PCM to find the best way to make PCM a thriving school.

“I am really trying to listen and observe over the next few months,” Becker said. “See what those common themes are of what we are doing really well but also what are the challenges and to dig deeper into those things. If we do have challenges, I am also looking for idea from people that maybe I’m not thinking about just yet. How can I implement that on a small scale, on a big scale and what is the time frame?”

He is also focused on looking forward while respecting the traditions that have been formed at PCM.

“I believe heavily in the relationships that we create.,” Becker said. “Also, I want to make sure we are looking forward. We are OK with thinking innovatively. We are OK thinking about change. At the same time really respecting the traditions at PCM. I know there have been great things that have happened at PCM. At the same time, how do we get people in our organization think about different things that can set us apart from other schools.

“Also, that we are meeting the needs of every student here. Every student has different passions, desires, needs, career paths, and we’re not a factory. We’re here to really try to meet those individual needs in the best way we possibly can. I think we can do great things together.”

With school starting in less than two weeks, the excitement is building for the start of a new year. Becker is already on the job but can’t wait for the official beginning. By listening and learning, he hopes to lead PCM for years to come and make it a destination location for families.

“I hope people can build trust in my leadership skills and ability to lead this district for many years to come,” Becker said. “I am really excited to do that.”