Sparta — Kelly Petersen, new assistant principal of Ridgeview Elementary, sees her return to Sparta Area Schools as a homecoming.
About 25 years ago, around the time she started her career in education, Petersen was a preschool teacher with the district, and helped start a daycare program in the kindergarten through second-grade building she now helps lead.
Petersen assumed the new role in July, and so far, she said she’s “loved every minute of it.”
“It truly feels like I am back home,” she said.
SNN spoke to Petersen just ahead of the start of her first year back at the district.
‘When they offered the position, it was a no-brainer.’
— Ridgeview Assistant Principal Kelly Petersen
Other positions you have held in education: Petersen started her career teaching at a charter school in the Lansing area. She has also taught young fives and kindergarten at Hastings Area Schools.
Prior to returning to Sparta, she taught kindergarten and second grade at Caledonia Community Schools, where she also served as the director of the district’s summer school program.
How about jobs outside education? “Well, I do work on a food truck. My neighbors own a food truck and I work for them sometimes.”
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Western Michigan University
- Master’s degree in literacy, Western Michigan University
- Administration certification
What drew you to this district/building? “I loved the staff here, just seeing how they engaged with students. I felt like it was home, like it was my family. When they offered the position, it was a no-brainer.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? Petersen said her time as director of Caledonia’s summer school program laid the groundwork for a career pivot to administration.
“I coordinated, trained, communicated and engaged with the staff, students, families and community members to make summer school a fun place to be. I really enjoyed this position and wondered if this was my calling to administration.”
Name some great things about going into K-12 education: “The passion and being able to work with kids, and seeing that growth of children — that’s something I value. And then, also, the camaraderie of the staff. You just become a family. The support of the team. … When you’re an educator it’s more about teamwork and collaboration with other likeminded people.”
How will you encourage student voice in your building? “It’s not just their voice. It’s not the actual talking and being verbal. It’s how we act, are we respectful, are we responsible, how do we show kindness, how do we participate,” Petersen said. “When I see kids helping each other out, I think that gives them a voice as well.
“I want to get to know everybody. I want to know that Joey plays baseball in the spring, or that Victoria has a new baby brother. … It’s just getting to know them on a personal level. It’s having that relationship.”
What is one thing on your bucket list? “I would love to move to Charlevoix, Michigan. Our best friends are retiring there and … we’ve never been able to live by them.”
Dogs or cats and why? “Dogs, for sure. I’m allergic to cats.”
What would you like to share about your family? Petersen and her husband live in Alto. They have three grown kids and two dogs.
“All of our kids have graduated high school as of 2025,” she said. “We are now heading into our next phase of life.”
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