Kenowa Hills — Though Abby Wiseman is new to the hallways of Central Elementary, she is no stranger to the teaching staff, many of whom are her former students.
Wiseman’s teaching career began at Kenowa Hills High School, where she taught speech communication, broadcast journalism and interpersonal communication for seven years. She also used to teach alongside Central’s current assistant principal, Chris Bernard.
“When I started in 2007, I taught six different classes and had no classroom; I was on a cart traveling from class to class for two years,” Wiseman srecalled. “I liked it. It kept me from getting bored, but I eventually got a classroom.”
She is now leading a building with teachers who once were students in her high-school classroom, and has former students bringing their kids to kindergarten and first grade.
“I never really left the West Side, and these are people I’ve known for a long time,” Wiseman said. “That’s what made it feel like home.”
SNN gets to know her in this edition of Meet Your Administrators.
Other positions you have held in education: Wiseman moved across the street from the high school to serve as assistant principal at Kenowa Hills Middle School for two years and then another six as principal. Most recently, she was principal at Lowell Middle School for four years.
How about jobs outside education? A college athlete, Wiseman went from playing on the basketball court to assistant coaching at Central Michigan University. She later moved back to her alma mater for an assistant coach role at Eastern Michigan University.
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree in secondary education, with a minor in speech, communications and theater arts history, Eastern Michigan University
- Master’s degree in educational leadership, Grand Valley State University
- One year out from completing a doctorate in K-12 educational leadership, researching marginalized communities and their view of acceptance, Western Michigan University
What drew you back to this district? Wiseman said the district has always felt like home.
“This is the experience I haven’t had yet, and that’s what also drew me to this position. I’ve been at the middle-school level for 12 years, and the change intrigued me. Now I’ll have the entire K-12 experience.”
What excites you about transitioning into elementary education? “When they get to high school, the stakes get higher, they get more angsty, the innocence of elementary school and the ability to focus on learning gets lost. … I am really excited about the joy and love of learning that exist at this level. From the students to the staff, there is just this joy they have every day, and that positive energy, it really fills my cup.”
What would you like to share about your family? Wiseman and her wife, Jenn, live on Grand Rapids’ West Side with two “great big boxer-pit bull mixed” rescue dogs and recently sent off her stepson to live in New York City. The two also have served as foster parents in the past and hope to open their home to more kids later in the future.
“My wife is a therapist, and we knew we wanted to help in any way we can,” she said. “Like teaching, it’s very rewarding.”
What are you most looking forward to about this school year? “I’m excited about this staff, some of whom I already know or they are my former students. It’s phenomenal the way they love on kids, their patience and collaboration skills. I’m excited to work with them.”
How will you encourage student voice in your building? “Part of my excitement is to understand elementary-age kids. They will talk to you, and in some ways they are the least filtered. I am looking forward to giving them space and ways to have that voice. This building was built for students to have a place to learn and continue to raise up their voices.”
What are some of your hobbies and interests? “I love being outdoors, on the lake or in the woods. I love the beach and reading, but recently I’ve been doing a lot of academic reading. I also love listening to music by Brandi Carlile and Pink.”
What is one thing on your bucket list? “There are a lot of different places I’d like to travel to, like Hawaii, Italy and Iceland.”
Read more from Kenowa Hills:
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