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QuickTake:
Miriam Mickelson comes to Eugene School District 4J from northwest Washington, with more than 20 years of education experience. She said she measures a district’s success by its ability to prepare students for “a life of significance.”
A small cohort of kindergarteners-in-training practiced their lunchroom decorum Tuesday in the César E. Chávez Elementary School cafeteria, wiggling their way to the lunch line, learning to hold trays, choose food and open milk cartons.
New Eugene School District 4J Superintendent Miriam Mickelson wove through the tables, bending down to chat with students and assist with milk.
It was the second day of the Kids In Transition to School (KITS) program, which helps incoming kindergarteners get a jump on learning the rhythms and rituals of school. It also was Mickelson’s first day on the job as the district’s superintendent.
“Anytime you get to be with kids, that never ceases to brighten your day and put a smile on your face,” she said, as she took a break to talk to reporters.
Mickelson recently moved to Eugene from Sedro-Woolley School District in northwest Washington, where she was superintendent. She said she’s glad to be staying in the Pacific Northwest, but is excited to be in Eugene because of the importance the community places on public education. She said she was proud of the staff that decided to work in 4J’s summer programs.
“It sends a very powerful message that our students are worth showing up for, even in the summer,” she said.
Mickelson said she’s a leader who aims to be visible in the community.
This summer, she plans to meet with community leaders and staff to get acquainted with Eugene and the district.
The district’s budget is top of mind for Mickelson. The school board approved a net $15.8 million cut May 21. She said her priority is to use the limited resources the district has to do the best it can for students.
“Being as clear and as transparent and as collaborative as possible, I think that helps with the management of expectations when it comes to budget,” she said.
Mickelson said while data and test scores are important, she measures success by the district’s ability to prepare students to lead “a life of significance.”
“If I see former students who are living life that way, contributing to society, taking care of others, then I can say, yes, we have made an impact,” she said.
