Orchard View Middle School
Jim Nielsen, incoming superintendent of Orchard View Schools, said he wants to expand STEM opportunities for students. In this file photo from last year, Orchard View Middle School teacher Ryan Wilson helps a student out with his computer during a robotics class the district added in 2014.
(MLive file photo)
Jim Nielsen
MUSKEGON, MI - The Orchard View school board didn't have to look far for its next superintendent, choosing long-time educator and administrator Jim Nielsen to serve the community in which he grew up.
Nielsen, who most recently has worked as principal of Orchard View Middle School and as assistant superintendent, will replace Patricia Walstra, who is retiring as Orchard View's superintendent at the end of this month.
A graduate of Orchard View High School, Nielsen has worked his entire career in the district, starting there as a kindergarten teacher in 1987. He later taught as an elementary and middle school teacher before joining the administration in 1995.
Other positions he has held in the district include dean of students, athletic director and high school assistant principal. As superintendent, he will earn a base salary of $110,000 plus $2,900 in longevity pay.
Nielsen said the superintendent position seemed like a natural progression for him.
"I've been with this district for many years, and I've had my eye on different opportunities for advancement," Nielsen said. "A lot of educators don't get the opportunity to spend so much time in one community."
He said the varied positions he has held have helped provide him with good background on day-to-day operations in the district.
Five initiatives he plans to pursue include:
- Improving student achievement through increased rigor at all grade levels and use of common assessments and common grading. Making graduates career or college ready is a priority.
- Bringing more STEM opportunities into the classrooms. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- Finding opportunities to reduce costs and "do more with less."
- Enhancing community and school pride.
- Initiating a survey for staff, students, parents and other community members that will be on the school's website and Facebook page in July. Responses to a variety of survey questions will be used to develop goals and the district's future direction.
Nielsen has served as principal of the middle school for 13 years. Interviews for his replacement are occurring this week, he said.
He graduated from Orchard View High School in 1983 and received an associate's degree from Muskegon Community College, a bachelor's degree in education from Grand Valley State University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University.
He received the Outstanding Alumni Administrator Award from Grand Valley State University in 2007, and was among a group from Orchard View that received a Winner's Circle Award for innovative educational programs from the Michigan Association of School Administrators.
Lynn Moore covers education for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.