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A new face: New principal takes charge at Andersen Elementary School

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Students and faculty who were a part of Andersen Elementary School in the 2007-08 school year are now becoming acquainted with a new leader at the top of the proverbial totem pole.
Helen Bailey, the new principal of AES, leads the charge into the 2008-09 school year.
"I ensure that our students and teachers are in a safe learning and teaching environment," Mrs. Bailey said. "I ensure that they all have what the need to accomplish Goal 1 of DoDEA's Community Strategic Plan which is 'highest student achievement.' However, greeting the teachers and students with a smile each morning and letting them know that each one is an essential member of the "team" is one of my most important duties."

Before coming to AES, Mrs. Bailey honed her skills as principal at Daegu American School in Korea for two years. She also served as assistance principal of Yokota High School and Kinnick High School, both in Japan. Her background also includes prior teaching experience.

"As a classroom teacher, I was able to develop instructional leadership skills through my involvement in extra-curricular activities and faculty committees," Mrs. Bailey said. "I wanted to be able to assist other teachers in building leadership capacity and being an administrator was one way that I could do this."

Mrs. Bailey holds a bachelors' degree in comprehensive business education and economics from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., as well as a masters' degree in education administration from Kansas State University in Manhattan, K.S. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Capella University in Minneapolis.

"Being an instructional leader has always been a goal and being a teacher in DoDEA helped me become a better leader," Mrs. Bailey said. "It is my goal to increase community involvement with school activities in literacy, mathematics and science. I hope to build a cohesive team of educators, parents and community leaders who share the same high expectations for educational improvement and individualized student success.

"I want the faculty, staff, students and community to be involved in the decision-making process, and I solicit input from all stakeholders in conducting our business of providing the highest quality education for our students," she added.

So far, she's making quite the impression.

"She came across as very professional and friendly," said Jacob Dowdell, a faculty member from AES. "She seems to be a very positive person who has a team-oriented leadership style. This makes for a great learning