For some, 13 is not a lucky number.
For Heidi Kast, it may end up being.
After 12 years in the Lake Orion school district, Kast is getting ready to start year number 13 and in a new position ? Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services.
Kast, who holds degrees from Central Michigan University and Oakland University, first came to Lake Orion as a special education teacher at Waldon Middle School. Four years later, she accepted the Waldon assistant principal position, eventually moving into the principal role, where she served for six-and-a-half years.
Now, Kast will be overseeing curriculum and instruction, a role she is excited to undertake.
‘I’m going to work on continuing to expand on Lake Orion’s excellence, ensuring that we are preparing for a global, futuristic world,? she said, noting school curriculum needs to reflect the way the world is and needs to be continually updated in order to be so.
Kast said her goal is to continue and add opportunities for Lake Orion students so as to make sure they have educational choices.
‘Not every child learns the same way,? Kast said. ‘We need to expand on that and continue to provide our students choices.?
‘I want to make sure that we are providing the absolute best for our students,? she added.
Kast was promoted into the assistant superintendent position last month and is looking forward to working in her new capacity.
‘We have great administration, great staff and a wonderful community that is so supportive,? she said, noting she is excited to work with each group.
Kast is looking for additional training opportunities for the staff, noting she hopes to build on teacher leadership in the district.
She also wants to do a technology needs assessment for Lake Orion ‘to see what we have, what we need and what will be best to enhance instruction in the classroom.?
Kast said the district needs to work as a team with special education and general education, making sure everyone is involved in the process.
All of these aspects, and everything else the district does, is focused first and foremost on student achievement, Kast noted.
She is hoping to get feedback and input from parents and the community.
‘We all have to work together as a team,? she added, ‘and the community is a critical member of that team.?
For those interested in contacting Kast, can visit the district’s home page, www.lakeorion.k12.mi.us, for contact information.
Kast and her husband of 13 years, Kevin, who is a teacher at Scripps Middle School and a graduate of Lake Orion, live in the community with their daughters, Elli and Elyse. Elli, a fourth grader, and Elyse, a first grader, attend Orion Oaks Elementary.