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Long-time Northville educator and teacher leader Heather Bauer expected to take on role as Ridge Wood Elementary School Assistant Principal

Northville Public Schools’ educator and teacher leader for 20 years, Heather Bauer has been named Assistant Principal at Ridge Wood Elementary School, pending approval by the Northville Board of Education at its September 10, 2013 meeting.

 The addition of a full assistant principal position at Ridge Wood will increase administrative support for the students, staff and families at the school, according to Northville Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher.  At the same time, it also creates an opportunity for Ridge Wood Principal Alicia Parsons to expand her leadership role to assist schools and school improvement teams across the district in their use of data to promote student growth and achievement.

Bauer previously served as interim assistant principal at Ridge Wood for the 2012-13 school year. Her role as a full-time assistant principal will differ significantly from her interim role, as Bauer will be a partner with Parsons in assuming the full range of leadership and administrative duties at Ridge Wood.

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 Bauer joined Northville Public Schools in 1993 as a third grade teacher at Moraine Elementary School. She also was a fourth grade teacher at Thornton Creek Elementary School before joining the staff at Ridge Wood in 2003 where she has served as an elementary learning consultant, in a supervisory support role, and as interim assistant principal. In her tenure at Ridge Wood, Bauer also has facilitated the Ridge Wood School Improvement Team; assisted in the creation and implementation of daily intervention time for all grades; developed and facilitated multiple professional development opportunities for Ridge Wood and district staff revolving around the English language arts curriculum; organized and facilitated state and district-wide student assessments; facilitated parent educational workshops; developed and implemented early reading intervention programs for students; supported classroom teachers in their curriculum needs; and implemented a systematic method for communication regarding student office referrals.

 Bauer is a graduate of the Galileo Teacher Leadership Academy and also has worked with Ridge Wood staff as the school community continues its journey with The Leader in Me. She is certified as a trainer for the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.” In addition, she is a member of the Michigan Reading Association and the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association.

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 “Heather brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this new position — as an educator, teacher leader, administrator, and long-time member of the Ridge Wood school community,” Gallagher said. “Through the years, Heather has made significant contributions at Ridge Wood and across the district in the areas of early intervention, school improvement, and professional development, as well as in her role as a Galileo Teacher Leader.”

 “Ridge Wood is a tremendous school, with a dedicated staff, a supportive parent community and great students,” Gallagher added. “With the leadership team of Principal Alicia Parsons and Assistant Principal Heather Bauer, we look forward to building on the excellence that exemplifies Ridge Wood and Northville Public Schools.”

Bauer has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Biology from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, and a Master of Education in Reading and Language Arts from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She also has her Education Specialist degree in Leadership and Administration from Oakland University.

 “I am elated to continue to play a role in making Ridge Wood an outstanding school,” Bauer said. “With this new role, I will work diligently to continue our commitment to excellence through our work with The Leader In Me and our school improvement efforts, focusing on building capacity through the use of new technology and our new math materials to support learning.”

 “I am excited to support our staff as we continue to analyze and use data to make sound instructional decisions to meet the needs of our students,” Bauer added. “I also look forward to continuing to partner with our school families to ensure success for all students.”

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