Principal hired at Pioneer Elementary

By: 
Steve Lyon

A school principal working in the Caldwell School District has been hired to become the next leader at Pioneer Elementary School in Weiser.
 Following interviews by a search committee, Susana Dickman was offered the position and accepted. She has already visited Weiser to meet with the staff at Pioneer Elementary School.
 Weiser School District trustees are expected to ratify the hiring and approve an employment contract for Dickman at their May meeting.
 Dickman is currently the principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Caldwell, a position she has held since the start of the 2018-19 school year.
 Prior to that she was the principal for two years at Pilot Butte Elementary School in Rock Springs, Wyo.

Dickman said she applied for the job in Weiser after doing some research and hearing that the community has a positive reputation of supporting schools and teachers.
 She applied and was interviewed by the search committee, which was chaired by current principal and future district superintendent Wade Wilson.
 She will replace Wilson as the elementary school administrator in July. Wilson has been the principal at Pioneer Elementary School for the past 17 years and has worked in the school district for 28 years.
 He was selected by Weiser School District trustees to become the next superintendent of the district at the end of the current school year.
 Dickman said she brings various levels of background knowledge and experience to the Weiser principal position.
 She has a bachelor’s in human exceptionalities and master’s degree in curriculum  and teaching from Idaho State University, and an Ed.S. in administration leadership from the University of Idaho.
 In addition, she holds professional educator certifications in educational leadership (K-12 for Idaho and Wyoming), and exceptional childhood education (K-12 for Idaho and Wyoming).
 Dickman began her teaching career as a para-professional at Idaho Falls High School. She moved into the classroom as a special education teacher while teaching as an adjunct faculty member at Idaho State University.
 She said it was her experience in special education that led her in the direction of school administration. 
 She wanted to have more of a positive impact on a larger population of students.
 “My goal is to continue to build upon the success that Mr. Wilson has strategically put into place. I look forward to working side by side with the staff at Pioneer to proceed in moving our students forward academically and socially,” she said.
 Wilson said the district received 15 applications for the pending principal vacancy at Pioneer elementary. The selection committee narrowed the number to a short list of four for interviews. There were strong applicants for the position.
 Dickman’s background as a former special education teacher will be expertise that is beneficial in the district, Wilson said.
 “Our team is excited to welcome Mrs. Dickman to Pioneer school. She is a ball of positive energy, has some ‘southern’ charm to add to our culture, and will dig right in and get ‘dirty’ with our staff and students.  She is very excited to get going,” Wilson said.
 She is married to Tom and they have a daughter Huntington, 17, a son Maklain, who is a student in Boise, and Ruger Allen (the spoiled Shih tzu).  
 The Dickman family loves outdoor activities and sporting events, as well as seeking out fun, new restaurants.
 

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18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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