Thornapple Kellogg — Thornapple Kellogg High School’s newest building leader, Katie Dorband, has maintained a consistent motto through every step of her journey as an educator: “See the good, be the good.”
These words are displayed in her office, with “see the good” spelled out in a cursive custom neon sign, visible from her desk and to anyone who visits her Trojan-orange office throughout the day.
“It was a bit nerve-wracking to come into a new district as an ‘outsider,’ but everyone has been so welcoming and kind,” Dorband said.
Get to know more about Dorband in this edition of Meet Your Administrators:
Other positions held in education:
- Paraprofessional at a charter school in Colorado
- School counselor and dean of student support for a system of K-12 charter schools in southeast Michigan
- Suicide and substance abuse prevention counselor in Douglas County Schools, Colorado
- Counselor at Caledonia High School in Caledonia Community Schools
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports and student support coordinator for Caledonia Community Schools
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree in youth guidance, Colorado Christian University
- Master’s degree in school and community counseling, Spring Arbor University
- School administrators certification in educational leadership and administration from Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals
- Limited licensed professional counselor with post-master’s certifications in diversity, equity and inclusion, social-emotional learning and student support.
What would you like to share about your family? Dorband and her husband, Adam, have been married for 26 years. How have they continued to nurture their relationship? Walking the dogs together every day.
“My husband and I are great friends. Every day we have our daily download while we walk our dogs, Eevee and Maggie, around the block. He shares stories about his day and I share mine.”
Adam is a physical education teacher at Burton Elementary, in Grand Rapids Public Schools, and together, they share three high school-aged children together, who keep them “very busy and super involved.”
What drew you to the Thornapple Kellogg district? Having spent eight years in Caledonia, just a few minutes north of Middleville, Dorband said it was a very “natural shift.”
“It felt like the right place at the right time. I was looking for a leadership role in a community with a staff that felt like home and a good place for my skills and my approach to leadership, systems and relationships.”
In her first few months as principal, Dorband said one of the highlights has been supervising the student section during home football games and getting to “watch the game through their eyes.”
She added, “Having parents who show up for their students’ soccer games to take time off work to cheer them on during a cross-country meet is such a gift to have in the community.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? “I really love creating an environment where teachers can thrive. If you take care of the soil, wonderful things can grow. Working in the district office, it’s hard to affect change from the outside in; it’s much easier from the inside out. When you are a building principal, you are making sure your teachers have what they need to be successful, building culture and relationships in the building and with families.
How will you encourage student voice in your building? Dorband said she thinks it’s really important to “be where the students are” whenever possible. As she was considering taking on a new role in building leadership, she said she received a piece of advice from a former colleague: “You get to decide the person you want to be and the leader you want to be.”
“I love being out in the front of the building, sitting in a classroom, calling out good things when you see them and having casual conversations with students. I try to show up to as many events as I can. It means more to them than you realize.”
Describe your leadership style: “Highly relational and consistent action. I want to be someone that parents, teachers and students can depend on every single day. I am a systems-focused person and don’t like playing the game of ‘Whac-a-Mole.’
I prefer to zoom out and see how we can address needs systematically, proactively seek conversations — even the difficult ones — and see what’s working well and how we can fix what’s not working well. I welcome those conversations and try to willingly and openly engage with parents. We are a safe place for your concerns.”
What were you like when you were in high school? “I was a very serious student and highly anxious. I could have used the perspective of giving myself more grace, and if I could talk to high school me, I would tell myself it’s OK to loosen up a little bit.”
Favorite meal? “Something simple that hits the spot every time: grilled cheese with pickle.”
What influential figure would you love to spend the day with? “So many people come to mind, but I would like to have one more meal with my dad. We’d go to Big Boy and he’d eat a Slim Jim sandwich.”
Read more from Thornapple Kellogg:
• ‘Transformative leadership’ her goal as new principal
• History repeats itself with familiar face as new building leader
