By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays Middle School Principal Tom Albers was notified Monday he will receive the Secondary Principal of the Year of the Award for Kansas Area 5 from the Kansas Association of School Boards.
Albers was quick to draw any attention away from himself and place credit with his staff.
"There are a lot more administrators who are more deserving, but what this does is justify how awesome the HMS staff is," Albers said. "This speaks to the reputation of HMS and the awesome staff that we have here."
Albers said the HMS staff has pride in building relationships with students.
"In middle school, you have to build relationships," he said. "You have to help with the social emotional learning before the other part of learning takes place. I think HMS has really excelled at that.
"Our motto is 'Together we are one.' I believe our staff thinks we are all a big group — our staff, students, parents, community."
Within the last year, the school secured funds to hire a mental health liaison.
Staff also developed a new block scheduling program that will start in the fall. The program cuts down on passing time, and staff believe it will be a more efficient use of resources and class time.
"From our custodians to our lunch staff to our paras to our teachers, all that has to work in unison," Albers said. "I am proud to be part of that whole team concept."
After 16 years as an assistant principal at Hays High School, Albers replaced Craig Pallister as Hays Middle School principal in fall 2018.
Albers, a Fort Hays State University grad, is in his 32nd year as an educator. He spent 13 years in Pratt as a high school math teacher and coach and a year at Pittsburg High School as an assistant principal, before taking the assistant principal job in Hays to be closer to family.
Superintendent Ron Wilson also announced on Monday the district has nominated Aubrey Brooks, special education teacher, and Lisa Renz, HHS English teacher, for the Kansas Teacher of the Year Award.