Harrison Principal Polston Retiring After 34 Years
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Harrison Principal Polston Retiring After 34 Years
By David [email protected]
- excerpt from "Within My Power" by Forest Witcraft.
"That is my belief, my philosophy. That is what Randy Polston is all about," Polston, Harrison Elementary School principal, said in an interview Monday afternoon about the excerpt.
Monday night, the Warsaw School Board accepted Polston's retirement, effective June 30. He announced his retirement to Harrison staff this morning.
Polston has been with Warsaw Community Schools for 34 years. He taught from 1977 to 1986: one year at McKinley Elementary teaching fifth grade; a year teaching fourth grade, and seven years teaching fifth grade at Lincoln Elementary School. He was principal at Claypool Elementary for five years, from 1986 to 1991, and served as Harrison's principal since it opened in 1991.
He coached elementary athletics for nine years.
Asked why he's retiring now, Polston responded that he's a believer.
Back in 1973, when he was in college, Polston was deciding whether to go in education or ministry. He relied on God's direction and what God had planned for him. Polston felt God wanted him to go into education.
"Thirty-four years later, I feel God tugging on my heart that this part of my life has ended," Polston said. "When God closes a door, he opens a window."
While he doesn't know what God wants him to do next, Polston said he's enjoyed his 34 years with Warsaw Schools.
"In this stage of my life, I need to spend more time with my wife. I am a grandpa now and family is important in my life," Polston said.
The decision to retire has been a hard one, he said.
"Harrison and Warsaw Schools have been like a second family to me. It's been a two-year process. I felt like I may be going in this direction the last two years. There's been prayer and lots of family meetings," said Polston.
He said he's not one to be put out to pasture, but he will be looking out for that window that God has opened. He's sure it will have something to do in the educational field, but he will wait and see what God has in store for him next.
"I'm ready to step down from this position," he said. "Being an administrator and leader does take a lot of time. You are on call 24/7. I'm ready to see what God has planned for me."
His family has been more than supportive in the decision. Along with his wife, Rachael, he has two children, Nathan and Tiffany, who have families of their own now.
"My kids know the time I've spent over the past 34 years meeting the needs of kids," Polston said. "Rachael is excited to spend more time with me."
He doesn't know who his replacement will be, or who will replace him, but Polston will assist with the process anyway he can.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to make this a smooth transition," he said.
Polston stressed that, during his tenure, it was always about the children. He gets a kick out of seeing them outside of school, and he stays in contact with many of his former students long after they graduate.
After Polston made the decision with his family to retire, and WCS Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz knew about it, Polston said Harrison had a school night at Hacienda. The place was packed with families. Two little ones came across the restaurant and hugged Polston. After they left, Rachael asked him if he was OK. He told her he would be OK, the kids were what his life was about.
The next day, the children's dad e-mailed Polston and said it was a welcoming site to see the principal out in public and willing to hug his students. It made the father so comfortable to know that his kids went to a school that was so loving and caring.
One of Polston's students from his first class at McKinley was Warsaw city councilman and high school teacher Jeff Grose, who Polston is friends with to this day. He had Mike Bergen at Lincoln Elementary, and now has Mike's son, Ben, at Harrison. Rick Rivera was a Polston student at McKinley, and now Rick's daughter, Mariah, goes to Harrison.
During his talk with Hintz about his retirement, Polston said, Hintz told him that there is an old saying that it doesn't matter what year you were born or what year you died, but it does matter about the dash inbetween. Hintz told Polston he made a difference with his dash.
"I continue to teach class at Grace Monday nights. That's the message I try to send. It's all about the kids. Making a difference in their lives," Polston said.[[In-content Ad]]
- excerpt from "Within My Power" by Forest Witcraft.
"That is my belief, my philosophy. That is what Randy Polston is all about," Polston, Harrison Elementary School principal, said in an interview Monday afternoon about the excerpt.
Monday night, the Warsaw School Board accepted Polston's retirement, effective June 30. He announced his retirement to Harrison staff this morning.
Polston has been with Warsaw Community Schools for 34 years. He taught from 1977 to 1986: one year at McKinley Elementary teaching fifth grade; a year teaching fourth grade, and seven years teaching fifth grade at Lincoln Elementary School. He was principal at Claypool Elementary for five years, from 1986 to 1991, and served as Harrison's principal since it opened in 1991.
He coached elementary athletics for nine years.
Asked why he's retiring now, Polston responded that he's a believer.
Back in 1973, when he was in college, Polston was deciding whether to go in education or ministry. He relied on God's direction and what God had planned for him. Polston felt God wanted him to go into education.
"Thirty-four years later, I feel God tugging on my heart that this part of my life has ended," Polston said. "When God closes a door, he opens a window."
While he doesn't know what God wants him to do next, Polston said he's enjoyed his 34 years with Warsaw Schools.
"In this stage of my life, I need to spend more time with my wife. I am a grandpa now and family is important in my life," Polston said.
The decision to retire has been a hard one, he said.
"Harrison and Warsaw Schools have been like a second family to me. It's been a two-year process. I felt like I may be going in this direction the last two years. There's been prayer and lots of family meetings," said Polston.
He said he's not one to be put out to pasture, but he will be looking out for that window that God has opened. He's sure it will have something to do in the educational field, but he will wait and see what God has in store for him next.
"I'm ready to step down from this position," he said. "Being an administrator and leader does take a lot of time. You are on call 24/7. I'm ready to see what God has planned for me."
His family has been more than supportive in the decision. Along with his wife, Rachael, he has two children, Nathan and Tiffany, who have families of their own now.
"My kids know the time I've spent over the past 34 years meeting the needs of kids," Polston said. "Rachael is excited to spend more time with me."
He doesn't know who his replacement will be, or who will replace him, but Polston will assist with the process anyway he can.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to make this a smooth transition," he said.
Polston stressed that, during his tenure, it was always about the children. He gets a kick out of seeing them outside of school, and he stays in contact with many of his former students long after they graduate.
After Polston made the decision with his family to retire, and WCS Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz knew about it, Polston said Harrison had a school night at Hacienda. The place was packed with families. Two little ones came across the restaurant and hugged Polston. After they left, Rachael asked him if he was OK. He told her he would be OK, the kids were what his life was about.
The next day, the children's dad e-mailed Polston and said it was a welcoming site to see the principal out in public and willing to hug his students. It made the father so comfortable to know that his kids went to a school that was so loving and caring.
One of Polston's students from his first class at McKinley was Warsaw city councilman and high school teacher Jeff Grose, who Polston is friends with to this day. He had Mike Bergen at Lincoln Elementary, and now has Mike's son, Ben, at Harrison. Rick Rivera was a Polston student at McKinley, and now Rick's daughter, Mariah, goes to Harrison.
During his talk with Hintz about his retirement, Polston said, Hintz told him that there is an old saying that it doesn't matter what year you were born or what year you died, but it does matter about the dash inbetween. Hintz told Polston he made a difference with his dash.
"I continue to teach class at Grace Monday nights. That's the message I try to send. It's all about the kids. Making a difference in their lives," Polston said.[[In-content Ad]]
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