On a seasonally warm fall day, you may see students playing on the playgrounds during recess at Woodhaven Upper Elementary School. If you look a little closer, you may see WUE Principal Roger Gurganus with his Recess Office Cart which is stocked with everything from bandages, WUE Bucks, a megaphone, and his signature Diet Mountain Dew.
Gurganus, and WUE Assistant Principal Dr. Diana Baldensperger, are committed to making connections with their students, every day.
Mr. G has made the commitment to be outside with students every day with his mobile office whereas Dr. B has committed to cafeteria time during lunches with all students.
“We pride ourselves on connecting with our students in as many positive ways as possible,” Mr. G said. “From 10:30 to 12:30 every day is our student connection time. From football to just walking and talking, our students deserve our time and attention”
Students see and feel the connection too as they aren’t afraid to start conversations with administrators, especially since they aren’t in a formal or classroom setting.
Studies have proven that teacher/principal-student interaction correlates to higher student achievement inside and outside of the classroom.
Gurganus and Baldensperger want nothing more than student success, and their daily efforts show their commitment. We know that greater things are yet to come at the WUE, and those things are starting in the cafeteria and on the playground.