Women administrators take the helm at Centre
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
When Centre USD students return to school Aug. 16, they will see two new faces in the administrative offices.
Jerri Kemble of Herington is the new superintendent/K-4 principal, and Nadine Smith is the 5-12 principal. Smith resides in the district home at the high school site.
Both women began their duties July 1 and probably are the first female administrators in the history of the district.
Both women said they are impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff, many of whom already have begun working in their classrooms.
Jerri Kemble, character builder
Judging from her past experience, Superintendent Kemble brings to Centre superior skills in dealing with youth.
She has a master of science degree in educational counseling from Emporia State University and was named Kansas Counselor of the Year in 2003.
Kemble said she taught middle school for 13 years at Herington before deciding to get training in counseling.
"I needed skills in reaching out to some students in my classroom," she said.
But instead of returning to the classroom as she had intended, she took a job in the Chapman school district as K-8 counselor in six schools.
She had the privilege of working under John Sanborn, who was named Kansas Principal of the Year.
After nine years learning and working under Sanborn's tutelage, Kemble was encouraged by him to go into administration.
In 2002, she received her administration degree from ESU. She also was named "outstanding graduate student" by the education and administration faculty.
She is a 2006 graduate of the Kansas Academy for Leadership in Technology (Kal-Tech).
She served as principal of three elementary schools in the Chapman school district the four years prior to coming to Centre.
Currently, Kemble is pursuing a doctorate in educational administration from Kansas State University.
Her first goal at Centre is to listen, especially to learn about the positive things which don't need changing but also about things which need to be stopped, she said.
According to her personal website, Kemble will seek to promote a sense of family among the staff, where each is essential. She sees herself as a role model for others and is able to see the best in people.
Kemble will make sure that school policies are understood by all. She's not afraid to share power and will work toward developing a common vision.
Character education is her main focus. In June 2006, she was the keynote speaker for the Character Education Teacher Institute held at Topeka USD 501.
Her emphasis is on the "six pillars of education" — responsibility, respect, citizenship, compassion, fairness, and trustworthiness.
She intends to hold workshops and give lectures around the state to promote character building.
Kemble has lived in Herington since she was in the third grade.
Her husband, Kurt Kemble, owns a construction company. Hanna, 18, is a high school senior, and Max, 14, is in eighth grade.
Kemble said she has lots of hobbies. She has used one of her hobbies, faux painting, to redo her office at the elementary school in Lost Springs.
The busy mother also enjoys photography, scrapbooking, and listening to books on tape. In addition, she assists her mother, Pat Uhlig, in stocking her O. My Gosh gift and variety store in Herington.
Nadine Smith, promoter of professional growth
Principal Nadine Smith isn't afraid to do new things.
"I've always wanted to experience something new, to go a step further," she said.
This is her first year as a school administrator.
She grew up in Greenleaf in northern Kansas and attended the Linn school district.
She was 32 years old when she decided to go to college and become a teacher. As a bus driver at Ellsworth, she discovered she enjoyed relating with young people.
She attended Barton Community College at Great Bend and Ft. Hays State University, graduating with a degree in English.
From January 1998 until this spring, she taught at Claflin.
When she decided to advance her career, she at first considered counseling then decided to get a master's in administration, which she accomplished a year ago in May.
She sees her first job at Centre as getting to know the school staff and community and building relationships.
She also will join with the superintendent in promoting character education in addition to supporting academics and extra-curricular activities.
She expects to spend a lot of time visiting classrooms and helping teachers grow professionally.
"If teachers have new ideas, I want to help them facilitate the process," Smith said.
Smith has two daughters. Megan, 24, is a graduate student at Wichita State University and works in the American Red Cross blood unit in Wichita. Caitlin, 20, is a sophomore nursing student at Southwestern College in Winfield.
In her spare time, Smith loves to read. She also enjoys watching sports.
"It's good to be here," she concluded. "I'm very excited. I'm feeling a little nervous and overwhelmed, but I'm looking forward to school starting. It will be a challenge and an opportunity."
