Sjoberg spent two years at elementary school
By Holly Neumann
After serving as principal at the Manawa Elementary School for the past two years, Tammy Sjoberg is resigning.
“I would like to thank the community of Manawa for supporting me as the principal for Manawa Elementary School,” said Sjoberg. “I have met the most amazing and caring parents, students and community members.”
According to Sjoberg, the school has made much progress toward adopting and implementing research- and evidence-based curriculum, programs and procedures.
“When I began, the school district had contracted with CESA 6 Literacy Center to conduct an audit of our literacy program,” she said. “Using the information and recommendations from the audit, I collaborated with CESA 6 literacy professionals, staff and administration to transition our literacy program over to a results-based approach, which is known as the Balanced Literacy approach.”
Through her leadership efforts, the school is now in the midst of that transition and teachers have been receiving comprehensive professional development and coaching to be able to teach the approach with fidelity.
Sjoberg also facilitated the funding and setup for the Book Room at the elementary school.
“The Book Room enables teachers to conduct book clubs and every student has a title of interest to read at his or her reading level,” she said. “While the school is still in its beginning stages of teaching Balanced Literacy, I am proud to have collaborated with the many professionals who have helped both the administration team and the teachers transition to this comprehensive approach to reading and writing.”
During her tenure, she also applied for over $1 million in grant opportunities; the Read to Lead grant, the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling grant, the 21st Century Learning Center grant, and the Educator Effectiveness grant.
“I collaborated with Iola-Scandinavia School District for the Educator Effectiveness grant,” she said. “We were awarded $18,565 to share and use toward professional development for staff. The hope was to win grant money to fund needed programs for students in the Manawa community.”
Sjoberg said she will miss the many staff, students and community members who made her job enjoyable.
“Though I will miss Manawa, I am happy to have given the elementary school their start on this new path and am encouraged by the district’s plans to continue what I started,” she said. “I am excited for my new opportunities ahead.”