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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Ottumwa High School principal Steve Hanson will assume the duties of leading the high school professional development programs beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.  After 14 years as the building’s instructional leader, Hanson will now be responsible for leading the curriculum alignment necessary to implement the Iowa Core Curriculum. Districts are required to implement the Iowa Core by 2012. He will also lead professional development in the areas of instruction and assessment.  “The integration of the Iowa Core Curriculum, which includes curriculum, instruction, and assessment, is important work,” said Superintendent Jon Sheldahl.  “Steve is uniquely qualified to lead that work.”

According to the Department of Education, the Iowa Core Curriculum will ensure the success of every student by providing a world-class curriculum. It is designed to improve student achievement and prepare students for the world of work and lifelong learning.

Hanson has shown leadership in previous reform efforts at OHS, including the High Schools That Work initiative. Through this initiative, he has developed a strong knowledge of best practices in high schools.  Several of those practices have been implemented, including the advisor/advisee program, freshman academy, a school-wide grading policy, extra help, curriculum changes, and providing extra professional development to staff.

Hanson sees this position as a new challenge. “As a principal, you have to direct the majority of your attention to student and staff issues,” Hanson said. “The curriculum work is harder to accomplish. Now I’ll have more time to dedicate to that. I’m also at a point in my career where I’m looking for a different level of responsibility.”

Leaving the principal job, though, will not be easy. “The day to day operation at Ottumwa High has been my job for the past 14 years,” he said. And he has seen four of his children graduate from OHS. “OHS has been a huge part of my career and my life,” Hanson said.

This new position at OHS has been made possible by external funding made available to districts for the purpose of implementing the core. The district will be advertising the position of high school principal.