Three candidates vying for Aspen Elementary principal job
The Aspen Times
Erica Robbie/The Aspen Times |
An Aspen Elementary School kindergarten teacher said to Aspen School District Superintendent John Maloy on Friday that he “has a hard decision ahead of him.”
The teacher was referring to the school’s choice between three candidates who hope to earn the title of Aspen Elementary School principal following Doreen Goldyn’s retirement at the end of this academic year.
The candidates — Kelsie Goodman, assistant principal at Roaring Fork High School; Chris Basten, an elementary school principal in Skokie, Illinois; and Julie Crawford, assistant principal at Trailblazer Elementary School in Highlands Ranch — participated in an informal meet-and-greet at the school Friday.
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., about 40 people — mostly teachers and a handful of parents — stopped by the elementary school library to meet the candidates.
The Aspen Times asked each candidate why he or she would make a good principal at Aspen Elementary School.
“I love kids and I love this community. This is a community that’s demonstrated excellence over the years, so to get to work in a community like this and brainstorm what’s the way to take it to the next level would be a honor,” Goodman said.
“The beliefs and values that this district holds are the same values that I hold in regard to education. Valuing particular importance to the whole child, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners, and global citizenry — all struck a chord with me,” Basten said.
“My whole premise is to serve the students, so I think honoring that can go to any school, but here I feel like I’m very familiar with the culture and the climate, growing up in a small, mountain town (Bailey), as well,” Crawford said.
Aspen Elementary School librarian Lisa May Howard, who attended Friday’s meet and greet, said she thought the school officials “did an exceptional job” attracting candidates.
“What’s fun, too, is to see the level of interest in the teachers,” Howard said. “They are big shoes to fill, so I’m eager to see what happens.”
Goldyn has worked in the school district for 26 years and served as principal for the past 12.
The search for a new principal began in February via a national search firm, Maloy said.
After a preliminary round of interviews in April, Maloy said the district offered the position to its top choice, which the candidate declined.
Consequently, the school revisited the national search firm, Maloy said.
Aspen City Council puts brakes on Old Powerhouse Preservation Project
With many lingering questions still surrounding the fate of Aspen’s historic Old Powerhouse, City Council decided during Monday’s work session to hold off on providing staff direction on moving the preservation project forward until more information can be presented.
