Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON - Kirk Doehrmann is Tippecanoe Valley High School's new principal, effective Saturday.
At a special Valley School Board meeting Wednesday, the board approved a two-year contract for Doehrmann unanimously. For the 2006-07 school year, Doehrmann will receive $82,700.
The contract for current Valley Principal Michael Overmyer expires Friday. Overmyer resigned and his resignation was accepted by the school board March 13.
According to a press release provided by the school corporation, Doehrmann, of Columbia City, served as assistant principal at Elmhurst High School, Fort Wayne, before accepting the job as TVHS's principal. He completed his undergraduate studies and masters of science degree from Indiana University Fort Wayne and currently is pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership through Indiana State University.
Doehrmann started his teaching career in 1993 as an English teacher at South Side High School, Fort Wayne. In 1995, he moved to Prairie Heights High School in Stroh, teaching there until 2000. During his teaching tenure, Doehrmann was involved with coaching football and softball at the high school level. After leaving Prairie Heights, Doehrmann started in administration as assistant principal at East Noble High School, Kendallville, where he continued as administrator until taking the job at Elmhurst.
Valley Superintendent Dr. Daniel Kramer told the school board Wednesday he is very pleased to recommend Doehrmann as the TVHS principal. Doehrmann is very student-oriented and relates well to people. His administrative background includes experiences in the areas of curriculum development, staff development, instructional methods, motivation, student discipline and student scheduling.
In an interview Wednesday before being approved as the new principal, Doehrmann said when he started looking for a principalship, he wanted a school corporation with a single high school. He talked with some of the vendors Elmhurst used and all spoke highly of Tippecanoe Valley, he said.
"The best thing I did to check (Valley) out was come to the open house," Doehrmann said. At the high school open house, he said he was able to meet some of the teachers and Kramer. Doehrmann said he was impressed with the caring atmosphere at Valley and how students are well-cared for in the school corporation.
Asked what personal qualities he brings to Valley, Doehrmann said, "I think I'm going to continue that caring atmosphere of putting students first."
He said he wants to continue to provide a caring climate at TVHS for the students and support the teachers in their efforts to do that also.
As for goals, he said he first wants to sit down with Kramer and work out the goals with him, and see where Valley is headed. He also plans to sit down with some of the teachers this summer and go from there.
"I'm real excited to get started," Doehrmann said.
Doehrmann has been married to his wife Kim for 14 years. They have a 9-year-old daughter, Katie.
