Principal plans support for students and teachers

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

— Whether discussing test scores, English Language Learners, at-risk teens, gifted students or discipline issues, it all comes back to one theme for Decatur’s new high school principal: “It’s all about the kids.”

Deborah Coffer was hired to fill the role of high school principal last spring, and her contract officially began on July 1. The mother of a blended family of six grew up in Russellville and graduated from Russellville High School. She attended Arkansas Tech and has worked as teacher for the past 11 years.

At Dardanelle High School, Coffer taught high school math, including pre-calculus and trigonometry, as well as coaching the Quiz Bowl team and being a co-sponsor for the Beta Club, an honors program that promotes academic achievement.

Teaching is a calling

Coffer didn't always plan to be a teacher; her career came more as a calling. During her senior year of college, Coffer earned a full scholarship to study clinical psychology at the University of Arkansas and planned to become a college professor. One morning she saw a newspaper headline announcing the need for more college graduates to become teachers through the state’s non-traditional licensure program and everything changed.

Coffer said she immediately knew in her heart she should be teaching high school instead of college. She realized that, as a college professor, she would be working with kids who were already successful; but as a high school teacher, shewould get a chance to help the at-risk kids before it was too late.

“I think that’s really when the calling began,” she said.

Coffer said that for her, it’s all about the kids. She explained that, as the youngest child in her family, she grew up watching her nieces and nephews strugglebut was too young to help them. Now, as a teacher and high school principal, she can help young people.

“I have a really soft heart for kids who haven’t had a fair shake,” she said, explaining that she has had a lot of success helping students get on the right track.

Coffer said she really enjoys getting into the classroom, seeing teachers do what they love and seeing the moments when kids are inspired.

As a teacher, she saw those moments through the lens of the classroom; and as a principal, she will see those moments through the lens of the entire school.

Beyond Test Scores

For Coffer, success is more than test scores.

“My job is to provide them (students) with the best teachers and the best learning environment so they canbe successful beyond test scores,” she said.

Coffer said she plans to incorporate a more effective intervention and differentiation program this year by putting the school’s best teachers in interventionand focusing on differentiation instruction to meet the needs of all levels of learners, from those who are at risk to the gifted.

For students who are ahead, the school offers ACT prep and Advanced Placement Courses; and Coffer said she is working towards providing more pre-AP courses to meet the needs of the gifted.

One of the school’s greatest focuses will be improving literacy, especially for English Language Learners. Helping students improve comes down to determining the individual needs of the students and putting them in the best place to develop their language skills.

As Principal

In her new role as principal, Coffer said she plans to be visible in the classrooms and spend a lot of time supporting teachers and students. Coffer said she is falling in love with northwest Arkansas and decided she wanted to be a part of the Decatur school after researching the district’s mission and vision for leadership.

She explained that her high school principal has spent the last six years preparing her to move into administration, and last year she knew it was time.

“I really feel I was well prepared to move into administration,” Coffer said.

News, Pages 2 on 07/18/2012