Continually visualizing the “big picture” while supervising the academic infrastructure to meet the needs of the individual students is the on-going charge for the Orcas Island School District school principals. Tom Gobeske oversees the K-6 elementary school program while Barbara Kline cares for the Orcas Island Middle School, High School, OASIS, and Waldron Island schools. They are both visible in their schools and strive to know their students. Both have many years of teaching and principal experience, although Kline has been with the district for about 20 years and Gobeske has just completed his first year at Orcas Elementary.

Attending meetings, planning budgets, overseeing staff, being present for individual students who are in need of extra support, working with community members and parents, as well as keeping up with the required paperwork and reporting are aspects of the job they both have in common. Another task is scheduling for the upcoming school year, which can be difficult because of the unknown enrollment numbers and staffing options.

While the elementary school students are learning the fundamentals for academic and social success, the older students are on a path of self discovery. The basic daily formats for the schooling systems are very different in order to meet the general educational needs. The elementary school students are based out of a classroom under the guidance of a primary teacher, while in middle school and high school their education involves much more change and choice.

Kline says, “School change is evolutionary, not revolutionary” and as new programs and ideas are presented and evaluated, the principals take the steps to bring the best ones to fruition, such as a full-day kindergarten to the elementary school program and all of the technological innovations and opportunities for the middle school/high school.

Gobeske, his staff, and faculty are working on ways to offer the best educational opportunities and systems available so that the elementary students will be prepared to successfully move into the higher grades. Once they are in the middle and high schools it is up to Barbara Kline and her staff to help them as individuals work towards their next life goals.

Providing and supporting resources for their students and schools is a large part of the job of the school principal. In the elementary school Gobeske says that there are 17 community groups that connect with the school in different ways. He also feels that public relations are an on-going part of his job.

The OASIS High School, the Digital Learning Commons (an online program out of the University of Washington), a talented staff of mostly part-time faculty, and individual, community and parental support are all instrumental in providing educational options for students as they search for resources to help them find their own way. Kline is committed to the idea of offering as many educational opportunities as possible. She expressed appreciation to the community for their support in passing the technology bond. It has had a positive impact on many areas of learning and communication.

Providing resources, setting up successful systems, and exploring innovation are tasks both principals embrace. As Gobeske concludes, “Your students need to know you care about them. Once they know that they will really try their hardest.”