Goewert named Principal of the Year for IASP District 3, Emmert named Assistant Principal of the Year
(Talk of the Town photo provided) Bryan Emmert, below, was named District 3 Assistant Principal of the Year. A resident of Whitley County, Emmert is an assistant principal at East Noble Middle School.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Columbia City High School principal Gregg Goewert was named among an elite group of principals from across Indiana Thursday -- he was named District 3 Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP).
Additionally, Whitley County resident Bryan Emmert was named Assistant Principal of the Year. Emmert is an assistant principal for East Noble Middle School in Kendallville.
District 3 is comprised of a 10-county area of northeast Indiana, including the counties of Whitley, Allen, Wabash, Wells, Huntington, Adams, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben and Lagrange. In all, there are 12 districts in Indiana.
Others honored Thursday include Middle School Principal of the Year Scott Miller of Bellmont Middle School and Elementary School Principal of the Year Rebecca Dennis of Croninger Elementary School.
Goewert has served as a principal for three years, spent seven years as an assistant principal and has a total of 10 years in high school administration. Prior to that, he was a classroom teacher for eight years.
Goewert earned his bachelor's degree in 1995, a master's degree in 1999 and an EdS in 2007.
A rural Whitley County resident, Goewert is active in several local organizations including Columbia City Rotary Club, Whitley County College Success Coalition and the Whitley Forward initiative through the Whitley County Community Foundation. He is a board member of Foster Care Services, board president of Woven, Whitley County board member for Systems of Care, was nominated for the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce board and past board member of the Jay County Kiwanis.
He has held leadership positions within the IASP, NASSP, ASCD, IHSAA and OASSA.
Under his leadership, the following awards have been presented to local schools: Best Buy High School, Indiana Gold Star for Guidance Department, RAMP Award for Guidance and others.
"I'm pretty excited about it," Goewert said Friday. "I have a great team," he added, crediting fellow administrative staff including assistant principals Chris Lagoni, Brady Mullett, dean of students Andrew McDaniel and athletic director Geoff Penrod.
"It calls to attention the fact that's we're doing a lot of great things at CCHS," Goewert said. Factors such as the improvement in graduation rates and attendance scores helped in his selection for the award. "Our graduation rate is where it is because we're really trying to support all of the kids," he said.
"It reflects positively on all of us," he said. "I'm honored to serve at THE Columbia City High School -- I love my job."
Goewert learned of his award Thursday evening during the IASP's district meeting and planned to notify staff on Monday. He said the award came as a complete surprise, adding, "You don't even know you've been nominated."
"I'm happy to be honored and I'm happy for my peers to be honored as well," Goewert said of the four three other educators in the district recognized with awards Thursday. Goewert also applauded the IASP's leadership. "The association has had a true voice with Dr. (Tony) Bennett and Governor (Mitch) Daniels," he said.
Goewert and his wife, Danielle, recently adopted two young sons, Mason and Lucas, after serving as foster parents.
Emmert has served ten years as an assistant principal and seven years as a classroom teacher. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1993 and a master's degree in 2001.
Emmert has served as an IASP Assistant Principals Conference facilitator for two years, participated in NHMLC athletic directors meetings and as past president of the Land of Lakes Middle School Athletic Conference.He holds membership in the NASSP, IASP and NASP.
Locally, Emmert serves on the audio-visual and praise teams at Columbia City United Methodist Church, is a member of the Whitley County Horse & Pony Club, serves as a volunteer at the Whitley County 4-H Fair, organized a reunion for the 1954 Rome City High School boys basketball team in 2008, and is a musician for the Whitley County Worship Arts Camp.
He was nominated for the District 3 Assistant Principal of the Year award in 2010, named in the Who's Who Among American Teachers, was a candidate for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and a graduate of the Indiana Principals Leadership Academy Group 41.
"I would like to thank everyone who has helped me become a better assistant principal throughout the past 10 years," Emmert said. "I would especially like to thank my wife, Heidi, for her support and help while I attended many athletic events, conferences, and having short summer breaks."
"I have had the opportunity to work alongside many great students, teachers, counselors, and administrators at East Noble School Corporation," Emmert continued. "I believe teaching is a great career choice and would not change any of my experiences the past 17 years with anything," he added.
Emmert and his wife, Heidi (Copp) Emmert, have two sons, Chase and Jon.
Goewert, Emmert and the other honorees from around the state will now be considered for statewide awards with the IASP in June.