This
upcoming school year will be full of change for
many of the schools within Boundary County
School District. One big change will be
happening at Valley View Elementary School, as
students and staff welcome their new principal
Mr. Nathan Williams.Mr. Williams grew up in western Oregon where he played football, basketball and baseball. He continued to play basketball at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. It was there that he met his wife, Star. Together, they have four children all under the age of 10.
What brings Mr. Williams and his family to Bonners Ferry? “The wife and I wanted to relocate and raise our children in a small town in North Idaho,” he said. “Bonners Ferry was a perfect fit, and we look forward to being a part of the community.” He and his family enjoy being outdoors, staying active, and harvesting their own food. They are excited to make new friends, find a new church and do some elk hunting in the fall.
Mr. Williams career in education has taken him through teaching, coaching, and adminstration. “I began my education career 15 years ago as a teacher in eastern Oregon," he said. While he coached many different sports, he particularly enjoyed coaching varsity basketball and middle school football. “It was such a joy being in the classroom and on the playing field with so many students over the years,” he said. After teaching for nine years, Mr. Williams was given the opportunity to step into the role of principalm and has been in administration for the past six years.
Already, Mr. Williams has made various visits to Valley View Elementary School and is very excited about what he has seen. “I believe VVES has a great facility with even better people giving their lives to children within this community,” he said. “I feel fortunate getting the opportunity to be a part of such a great team of individuals.” He said that, at this point, his primary concern is learning the names of students, parents, staff and community members.
For Mr. Williams, good listening and collaboration are the keys to success. “I believe I'm a good listener and someone who enjoys collaborating with people to find the best solution for any given challenge,” he said. “Working as a team and getting parents, grandparents, and teachers communicating together in our building is imperative to the success of VVES.” He believes in motivating students and working to challenge children with all learning styles. “I'm passionate about personalizing education and challenging all learning styles at all grade levels,” he said. “I believe people enjoy educational options and as teachers it is our job to educate and motivate our youth.”