Rockford — New Rockford High School assistant principals Chelsea Cates and Darcy Seelye bring out the best in each other.
Prior to working in Rockford, the two shared an office at Greenville Middle School, where they became quite the team, developing a good working relationship and a shared, person-first approach to education.
“Both of us rely on the personal aspect of, like, what do our students need? What does our staff need?” Cates said. “And we’re both doers — we see what needs to be done and it gets done.”
After some time on different paths, Cates and Seelye are back in each other’s orbit, serving as the high school’s 10th-grade and 11th-grade assistant principals, respectively. They’re thrilled to bring their time-tested dynamic to Rockford High.
SNN recently sat down with Cates and Seelye to chat about everything from education to NSYNC.
Chelsea Cates
Assistant principal, 10th grade, Rockford High School
Other positions in education: After teaching sixth-grade science at Greenville Middle School, Cates stepped into an administrative role as the building’s behavior coach, working alongside Seelye, who was the math interventionist at the time.
Then Cates, who lives in Rockford, moved on to serve as assistant principal of Lakeview High School before making the move to Rockford to be closer to home. She taught earth science at the Freshman Center for two years before transitioning to a behavior specialist role at RHS.
How about jobs outside education: “I’m a Girl Scout leader for my daughter.”
Education/degrees: Cates has a bachelor’s in secondary education and a bachelor’s in violin performance, both from Central Michigan University, as well as a master’s in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.
What drew you to Rockford? “Hearing all the wonderful things about Rockford, (I felt) like this was a great place to send my kids before I started working here. And once I did work here, I was like, ‘Wow.’ We are so fortunate to work in this district that does so much for kids, that has so many opportunities for kids, that has the support for teachers and the want to become better all the time.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? “I think I’ve always been drawn to positions where I can have an impact that’s large. It’s hard to have a large impact on the vision as a classroom teacher, and in this role I feel like I can kind of do it all. I can work with students on an individual level, work with teachers, but also look at our school systems in general and be part of that change of always wanting to improve.”
What would you like to share about your family? Cates and her husband have three kids, all of whom attend Rockford’s Edgerton Trails Elementary. They also have two dogs, and are currently hosting an exchange student from Brazil.
Name some things about going into K-12 education: “It’s hugely rewarding, and also a huge sense of responsibility to do right by students, and to be able to know that I’ve had an impact on somebody that might change their life. You go home every day feeling like the work you do matters.
“It’s wonderful to be surrounded by people who are an inspiration to me daily, and who are always striving to be better. I think working in education has changed me, as a person, as a parent, as a teacher, as an administrator, for the better.”
Dogs or cats and why? “Definitely dogs. I’m allergic to cats. … Dogs are much more interactive, I feel like.”
First concert: “NSYNC. My dad took me and my sister and my friends, and it was so much fun. It was at the Silverdome.”
What’s something you’ve learned from your students: “I’ve learned how much more school is to them than just coming and doing work and going home. School is where they really figure out who they are. … It’s where they find connection through sports or music or theater or clubs. … School is everything to them.”
Darcy Seelye
Assistant principal, 11th grade, Rockford High School
Other positions in education: Seelye taught math, science and social studies in Greenville for 18 years before taking a break to raise her kids. She also served as the math interventionist for grades 6-8 and instructional coach for Greenville’s elementary school buildings.
How about jobs outside education: “I became the youth director at (St. Stephen Lutheran Church), which was an absolutely new experience for me.”
Education/degrees: Seelye holds a bachelor’s in elementary education from Central Michigan University and a master’s in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.
What drew you to Rockford? “An opportunity to work with the best. The best staff, the best district. In my mind, that’s where I was coming from.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? Like Cates, Seelye said she strived to make a difference and have an impact that extends beyond one classroom. Being in a leadership position allowed her to be a part of the decision-making process, and to help implement and lead new visions for a school community.
What would you like to share about your family? Seelye and her husband live in Rockford. They have two grown children and one granddaughter. She said her kids graduated from Rockford, and “learned so much about how to be hard workers” from their time in the district.
Name some great things about going into K-12 education: “You have an opportunity to shape and change the lives of young people. That has been very rewarding. And not just youth, but, in a leadership position, doing that with staff.
“It’s ever-changing; I feel like it helps you to stay on top of things and to be in the know, and to be striving to improve things all the time. …
“And every day is a new day. Every day is something different and exciting and challenging and rewarding and fun.”
Dogs or cats, and why? “Dogs. A cat is too independent. It doesn’t need me. Dogs connect. You give to them and they give back.”
First concert: “Whitney Houston, in middle school, with my friends. We all had T-shirts and we’ll never forget it. We talk about it all the time, still. It was at Pine Knob.”
What’s something you’ve learned from your students: “I’ve learned that it’s important to really listen to where they are and what they need, because they are as much a part of the solution as whatever I’m bringing to the table.”
Read more from Rockford:
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• Principal sees new role as ‘the best of both worlds’
