Byron Center — After getting to know their new assistant principals, Byron Center High School students came up with nicknames to differentiate between the two.
Based on her bubbly personality and the near-permanent smile on her face, Abby LaBarge was deemed the Care Bear and her counterpart Nick Rasmussen, who sometimes has a “resting grumpy face,” is referred to as the Grizzly Bear.
“We make a really good team,” LaBarge said. “I like to lead with a balance of heart and high expectations. We’re in this because we really, really care for them; we want what’s best for them and we’re here to make sure they get the best opportunities.”
Get to know these two new school leaders in this edition of Meet Your Administrator:
Abby LaBarge
Assistant principal, Byron Center High School
Other positions held in education:
- High school English teacher in Chicago, Illinois
- Middle school English teacher at Mona Shores Middle School in Mona Shores, Michigan
- High school English teacher at Hudsonville High School in Hudsonville
- Instructional coach at Lee Middle and High School in Godfrey-Lee Public Schools
Other jobs held outside education: LaBarge worked as a day camp counselor with young kids during college summers.
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, Hope College
- Master’s degree in curriculum and leadership, Grand Valley State University
What drew you to Byron Center? LaBarge said she was drawn to the district because of how well they value and support the whole child.
“They emphasize academics, while also valuing the arts and athletics and appreciating the values that they instill in students.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? LaBarge said she originally didn’t have any plans to go into administration, but was inspired by her fellow educators.
“They say you should be the change you wish to see in the world, and (I thought) maybe I should be the one to do it. In my previous roles, I wished we had more people applying for administration roles who came from the classroom. (Being an administrator) is similar to being a teacher, but you’re working with adults and students and it’s rewarding to see adults grow, like how students grow in the classroom.”
What would you like to share about your family? A West Michigan native who has lived and worked “all over the place,” LaBarge recently got engaged and will be inheriting a pet cat after marrying her fiance, Ian.
What ideas or strategies will you bring to Byron Center High School from your previous district? “I am fortunate to come with a strong base of instructional knowledge. Teaching is an art. It’s individualized, but it’s also a practice.”
How will you encourage student voice in your building? LaBarge said their goal as a team is to be out and about in the building, so students and staff get to know them and recognize their faces.
“We hit 10,000 steps every day, no problem. We try to be at lunch hours every day and have positive interactions with students so when problems do arise, it’s more encouraging to talk about behavioral problems.”
What influential figure would you love to spend the day with? “Taylor Swift. I stay up to midnight for every new release to listen to the albums. I was also an English teacher, so songwriting and poetry are up my alley and it helps me relate to students in high school.”
What is one thing on your bucket list? “I’ve crossed a lot of things off my bucket list. I’ve run a marathon, I’ve traveled a lot and I am in the midst of writing a young adult book. It’s my ‘rainy day coffee shop’ project that I’ve been working on for a while.”
Nick Rasmussen
Assistant principal, Byron Center High School
Other positions held in education:
- Science and social studies teacher at Innovation Central High School in Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Middle school social studies teacher at Kent City Middle School in Kent City Community Schools
- Dean of students at Portland High School in Portland, Michigan
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree in social studies and education with a minor in biology, Grand Valley State University
- Master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, Grand Canyon University
What drew you to Byron Center? Rasmussen said he previously coached BCHS boys lacrosse and held the district in high regard. When he interviewed for his current position, he said he asked, “Who wouldn’t want to be a part of the community here?”
“Byron Center is a well-respected and high-performing district. (The district supports) their staff and students.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? Six years into his career, Rasmussen said his principal encouraged teachers to take on leadership roles. He took on roles outside of his classroom, which sparked his curiosity about what it would be like to lead a whole building.
What would you like to share about your family? Rasmussen has known his wife, Emily, since they were in middle school together, 20 years ago. They both decided to go into education, although Rasmussen said he “copied” his wife’s plan. Today, she is a middle school counselor and they’re parents to twin boys who are almost 1, a dog and two cats.
Fun fact: Before they were co-assistant principals, LaBarge met Rasmussen through Emily, with whom she enjoys hanging out and listening to Taylor Swift’s music.
What ideas or strategies will you bring to Byron Center High School from your previous district? “In my last role, the coolest thing about it was building relationships with all the students. I was the dean of students and never felt like my job was just about discipline. Coming here, I’m building relationships with the kids and they have started to trust me.”
How will you encourage student voice in your building? “Teachers and students don’t always know what we do during the day. We want to show up for staff, students and the community, not sit in our offices all day long. I love being in the hallways, going to extracurricular activities and wearing sweatpants at a football game.”
What influential figure would you love to spend the day with? “Vince Lombardi. I’m a huge Green Bay Packers fan, and I’d like to sit down and talk football and leadership with one of the greatest coaches of all time.”
If you could choose to have one superpower, what would it be? “Teleportation for sure. If my twins ever run in opposite directions, I could get to both of them or get out of traffic.”
Read more from Byron Center:
• He’s come full circle to the school he once attended
• Sunflower seeds school students on plant life cycles
