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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- While Steve Hanson may have stepped down as the principal of Ottumwa High School, he will still be working closely with the school.

Hanson now holds the title of school improvement leader.

He'll work directly with administrators and teachers to help implement the Iowa Core Curriculum. The new Iowa Core focuses on literacy, math, science, social studies, and 21^st Century Skills.

“The state of Iowa has indicated what are the essential concepts skills that all schools should teach, those 5 areas. On the other side, its how to teach what the state has indicated what should be taught so it included both the what, the content, as well as the how, effective instruction,” Hanson said.

That how is part of Hanson’s duty.

His position will also allow him to be in direct contact with students, which he said will also pay great dividends.

“The more that any school administrator can have direct contact with the students, the more we see the affect of what we are doing in school, the affect of our actions and we can make appropriate adjustments.”

The job of school improvement leader is a one-year position which is being funded by federal money.

Hanson expressed some uncertainty as to what he will do after this year. He said he has received his Superintendents Certificate a year and a half ago and his ultimate goal is to become a superintendent of a school district in Iowa.

Hanson said he has been helping new Ottumwa's new principal, Mark Hanson, learn the ropes of the school. He said the principal's secretary position also had a turnover this year which makes the transition a little rougher.

While the new principal Hanson and the old principal Hanson have no relation, Steve Hanson said they have practically become brothers.

Classes in the Ottumwa Community School District start Monday.