This upcoming fall, staff of the new Niverville High School will be putting out the welcome mat for approximately 300 local Grades Nine to Twelve students. Few people are anticipating that day more than the school’s new principal, Kimberly Funk.
“I have to say, this is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Funk says. “Even though there is a personal and professional level of responsibility to ‘get it right,’ and the to-do list just keeps growing, I’m genuinely excited and honoured to be part of opening this new school.”
Opening a new learning centre, she says, provides an opportunity to ask thoughtful questions, to discuss hopes and dreams for teaching and learning, and to examine the educational values and practices that will be represented there.
But a new school presents certain challenges as well.
“The challenge is to find out what you don’t know and to minimize the number of things that will get missed,” she says.
As of February 1, the Steinbach native gave up her position as vice-principal and student counsellor of Landmark Collegiate in order to dedicate the next five months to planning and preparing for the new school. Her days are busy finalizing staffing needs, ordering furniture and supplies, establishing the school’s website, and determining what the school colours and logos will look like. She’s looking forward to frequent meet-ups with teachers, parents, and students over the balance of this school year.
“There are so many things to consider when starting a new school, but my priority is to establish a climate that invokes a passion for learning and fuels school pride,” says Funk. “[I also hope to] develop a collaborative culture where we work together, learn together, and truly care about one another. Specific school goals and plans will be developed by the NHS team over the next several months.”
At the end of the day, though, Funk says the school will be about the people.
“The hardware is important, and necessary, but it’s the software—students, staff, parents, the people—that is most essential. The focus needs to remain on the students and what they need. Niverville High School is about them.”
Part of that student focus will be on creating a smooth transition for everyone. Without question, many students and parents are already awaiting the new school year with great anticipation, but she is also mindful that for some, it might come with a level of anxiety or uncertainty.
Funk began her teaching career at the Niverville Elementary School almost 25 years ago. In the proceeding years, she’s taught at Mitchell Middle School, Steinbach Regional Secondary School, and most recently Landmark Collegiate. She’s excited about circling back to the community where her career got its start and looks forward to rubbing shoulders with residents who once filled her early years classroom.
But she says Steinbach will always be home for her. It’s the city she was born and raised in and the place she’s raised two sons alongside her husband of 26 years. It’s also home to the parents and grandparents she holds dear. The daily commute to Niverville, she asserts, bears little concern for her.
“I’m thoroughly enjoying every aspect of this unique process so far, but I’m really looking forward to meeting the staff, students, and parents and becoming part of the Niverville community,” says Funk. “I’m grateful for the strong foundation that has been built and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”
