Hockinson High School Principal Sandra Yager has always been up for a challenge.
She left her home country of Argentina in 1989 and moved to the U.S. She entered her first American classroom in 1993, not as a student but as a teacher at Jason Lee Middle School. In 2001, she was hired by the Hockinson School District to prepare and open the district’s first high school.
And this July, she’ll embark on her latest challenge when she leaves Hockinson and takes over as principal of Monticello Middle School in Longview. The federal government recently named Monticello a persistent low-performing school, like Discovery and Jason Lee middle schools in Vancouver. The Longview school was awarded a $1.4 million School Improvement Grant, which came with expectations of new leadership and higher performing students.
“In a way, if you look at what I’ve done in my life, it kind of fits,” Yager said of her departure. “I love to go and do things that are new and are challenging. I think Monticello is an amazing place with inspiring adults and amazing kids, and I’m hoping for a great journey.”
Monticello Middle School has a poverty rate of about 65 percent, according to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The school has an English as a second language program and a diverse student population — about 18 percent of students are Hispanic. While the dynamics of the Longview middle school are different from those at Hockinson, Yager said her experience in opening a new high school will help her to build a strong academic program focused on literacy and math skills at Monticello.
“As a leader, this is an opportunity to learn something new that could certainly not only help Longview School District and Monticello as we work together, but hopefully help me grow as an instructional leader in a system that certainly needs some improvement,” Yager said.
Hockinson Superintendent Michael Grubbs said Yager is a dedicated educator, always looking for new ways to help students. This move, he said, is an example of that.
“It’s rare that you get that type of opportunity for an entire community and staff to be ready to do what it takes to turn a school around,” Grubbs said. “It’s a great opportunity for her.”
The district has already begun the search for Yager’s replacement. Grubbs said he hopes to have a recommendation to the school board by its June 22 meeting.
When Grubbs was hired last year, the Hockinson School Board identified Yager as the superintendent-in-waiting. This school year, Yager spent about 20 percent of her time learning the ropes at the district office, preparing to take over the superintendent role when Grubbs retires.
Leaving the district, Yager said, also means giving up that opportunity, at least for now. Yager said she still hopes to one day become a superintendent.
“I just thought maybe that’s the door that needs to open next,” the 43-year-old said of her move to Monticello. “I still have many years left in my career.”
Although Yager is ready for her new challenge, she won’t soon forget her nine years in Hockinson. Before the high school opened, Yager met with middle school students who selected the school’s mascot (the hawk) and colors (navy, light blue and silver). She built policies and curriculum for four new grade levels. And she hired every staff member at the high school.
“There are certain things you can never compare,” Yager said. “Professionally, Hockinson High School will always own a piece of my heart. But that doesn’t mean I can’t hope for great things in my future.”
Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.
