Madison Principal Leaves Powerful Legacy
April 3, 2017 at 7:19 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
Tom Kline will retire at the end of this school year after 40 years in education.
Kline came to WCS 16 years ago when he took over as assistant principal at Lakeview Middle School. He also worked in the central office, and begin serving as principal at Madison five years ago.
He said he fell in love with working with the elementary-age students when he filled in at Madison while working at central office.
Kline said he learned to appreciate the atmosphere at Madison during his temporary stint at the school and he began applying for jobs posted for the school.
“Other than a short time as sixth-grade teacher, that was really my first time working with elementary students,” Kline said.
Before being named principal, Kline said WCS turned him down twice for jobs at Madison because they preferred him in his role at the central office.
‘I’ve been at every level in education and I learned I liked the little ones best,” Kline said.
Kline said he learned more in the last few years in his career than he had in his previous years combined.
One of the changes he liked was the shift toward professional learning communities, he said.
PLCs set up situations for teachers to work together on lesson plans.
Hoffert said Kline always has been supportive of PLCs.
“?A lot things, like math curriculum, foundational literary schools, have Tom’s fingerprint right on it,” Hoffert said.
“When he came over to Madison, he was the person the school needed. We want the end of this year to be a celebration of what Mr. Kline has given to the school corporation.”
Kline said he hasn’t made any plans for his retirement; right now he is focused on his job.
While he has seen people fade away at the end of their of careers, Kline remains energized.
“I just pour myself into that job,” Kline said. “I want to be known as a good educator and someone who touched a lot of lives.”
Kline has four children.?Recently, his first two grandchildren came into his life, with twins born in Texas. Hoffert said interviews have begun to find a new principal for Madison. Officials hope to fill the position by the end of the school year.
Tom Kline will retire at the end of this school year after 40 years in education.
Kline came to WCS 16 years ago when he took over as assistant principal at Lakeview Middle School. He also worked in the central office, and begin serving as principal at Madison five years ago.
He said he fell in love with working with the elementary-age students when he filled in at Madison while working at central office.
Kline said he learned to appreciate the atmosphere at Madison during his temporary stint at the school and he began applying for jobs posted for the school.
“Other than a short time as sixth-grade teacher, that was really my first time working with elementary students,” Kline said.
Before being named principal, Kline said WCS turned him down twice for jobs at Madison because they preferred him in his role at the central office.
‘I’ve been at every level in education and I learned I liked the little ones best,” Kline said.
Kline said he learned more in the last few years in his career than he had in his previous years combined.
One of the changes he liked was the shift toward professional learning communities, he said.
PLCs set up situations for teachers to work together on lesson plans.
Hoffert said Kline always has been supportive of PLCs.
“?A lot things, like math curriculum, foundational literary schools, have Tom’s fingerprint right on it,” Hoffert said.
“When he came over to Madison, he was the person the school needed. We want the end of this year to be a celebration of what Mr. Kline has given to the school corporation.”
Kline said he hasn’t made any plans for his retirement; right now he is focused on his job.
While he has seen people fade away at the end of their of careers, Kline remains energized.
“I just pour myself into that job,” Kline said. “I want to be known as a good educator and someone who touched a lot of lives.”
Kline has four children.?Recently, his first two grandchildren came into his life, with twins born in Texas. Hoffert said interviews have begun to find a new principal for Madison. Officials hope to fill the position by the end of the school year.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092