Middle school to welcome new principal

Bri Brasher
NLJ Reporter
 
A familiar face at Newcastle Middle School will step into a new leadership role in the fall. Tyler Bartlett is finishing up his last term as a seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher at the school before officially becoming its principal. 
Brad LaCroix, Weston County School District No. 1 superintendent, is currently filling in as the interim middle school principal to finish out the school year. LaCroix said that he suggested that the former principal, Kyle Gunderson, move to the transportation director position vacated by Mark Peterson in November. Peterson accepted a position with the Wyoming Department of Transportation after nine years with the school district, according to LaCroix. Gunderson moved into the transportation position in November. 
“Transportation is always crazy but especially in the winter months because of weather and activities,” LaCroix said of Gunderson’s quick switch in roles. 
LaCroix said Newcastle is fortunate to have such qualified and skilled candidates to choose from when filling the middle school principal position. Along with Bartlett, Newcastle High School woodshop teacher, Bryce Hoffman, was also up for the job. Both have been doing an internship with LaCroix during their prep hour. Both teachers also have administrative degrees. While LaCroix said he has no doubt Hoffman will easily move into an administration role in the future, he said that Bartlett knows the culture of the middle school well and he felt he was the right fit for the job.  
“Middle school is unique, and it does have different kinds of needs. It has a different kind of a skill set. It always helps to have somebody that really has a passion for that age group of young people,” said LaCroix, in describing how Bartlett is already familiar with the staff and aware of the needs of both students and staff. 
Bartlett emphasized his excitement and gratitude at receiving the opportunity, especially in a pool of what he called high-caliber candidates. While he is currently coaching middle school track and previously coached middle school football and high school girls basketball, Bartlett said he will stop coaching after this track season to focus on his job as the principal. He will miss being in the classroom and coaching, he said, but hopes to expand his impact in the school in various ways as principal. According to Bartlett, one of his main goals is to maintain high visibility to build relationships with students and staff. 
“I’m excited to keep living in this community and try to build something special,” Bartlett said. 
Bartlett explained that he initially came to Newcastle to complete his student teaching. He ended up staying and making his home in Newcastle. After 10 years in the district at the middle school, he said, he and his wife are happily raising their family in the community.
“I’m pretty aware of the strengths and weaknesses in the school,” said Bartlett. “This is a pretty cohesive group, and above all else I think they care about the kids, no matter what they teach.
Everybody that works in the school are there for the right reasons. We have a strong staff.”
LaCroix spoke of staff changes and climate struggles at the middle school in the past, and he feels it is beneficial that Bartlett has been a part of those struggles. He said he is also confident Bartlett will handle the challenges associated with moving from a peer to leadership role as he and the staff work together to “build his (Bartlett’s) own kind of school.” 
“He’s seen those issues. He’s identified those issues. And now he and the staff, along with the students, will have
to work together to put the pieces together,” LaCroix said. “One person can’t fix climate, cultures, staff morale, student morale, stakeholders and parent involvement.”
Bartlett said that with the backing of the middle school’s “good strong staff,” he is ready to build on the school’s strengths and address weaknesses with “open minds and open hearts to really help kids.” 
“You take care of children, but you also have to learn to take care of those that take care of the children,” said LaCroix. “I’ve known Tyler since he came into the district. I’ve watched him teach. I’ve watched him coach. I’ve watched him parent. I’ve had two girls that actually went through the system. I’m excited for him and the school in general, both students and staff,” LaCroix said.
Bartlett also said that while academics, scores and grades matter, the development of the students as citizens is also important. He said middle school is unique because in just three short years, students transition from elementary to high school. 
“So much of middle school is not related to content. It’s not just reading and writing and arithmetic. It’s finding your voice and developing who you are — becoming that person that you want to be,” said Bartlett. “I’m a believer that you discipline yourself so others don’t have to.
Good decision making comes from experience, and experience comes from making bad decisions. It’s our job as a staff to ease that process and help them — you make mistakes, own up to them, and do better going forward.”
With leadership in place for the coming school year, LaCroix said, the next step is to fill Bartlett’s vacated position as a math teacher. To the new teacher in that position, LaCroix said, “Well, you’ll have you mentor right there.”