Whatcott hired as KSD curriculum director

KELLOGG — The Kellogg School District has hired a local educator to fill the open position of curriculum director.

Nathan Whatcott will be filling the role that was vacated earlier this year and has since been temporarily filled by Superintendent Dr. Nancy Larsen and various administration within the Kellogg School District.

Dr. Larsen is looking forward to having another Kellogg High School graduate working in the district office.

“We are thrilled to have Nate fulfill the curriculum, instruction, assessment and reading coordinator position,” Larsen said. “His years of experience, advanced degree and roots in the valley will provide our district with a knowledgeable, respected voice. We are looking forward to bringing him back to be part of our team.”

Whatcott himself is looking forward to rejoining his home district, but is also a little nervous too.

“I’m super excited, but I’m also a little anxious,” Whatcott said. “I don’t want to let anyone down, I want to do the best job possible.”

The responsibilities in his new position will be a challenge that is still unknown to him, but the transition from the classroom may be the most difficult part of this new adventure.

“It was the right time for me to make the move,” he said. “I never wanted to be a principal and have to focus on discipline, I wanted to work in classrooms with students and now I’ll get to work with the teachers. I’m good in a classroom, mainly because I connect well with kids, but I think I’m good at connecting with people in general. I already have a lot of quality relationships in the Kellogg District, the rest I will learn as I go.”

He will be returning to the Kellogg School District after working in the Wallace School District for the past two school years.

“We are going to miss Nate here in Wallace,” said Dr. Bob Ranells, WSD superintendent. “But we wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this luscious challenge.”

Whatcott was nothing but gracious when discussing his time in Wallace.

“I’m so grateful for my time in Wallace, it was truly hard to leave,” Whatcott said. “I had two great years up there and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with so many great people there.”

Whatcott will officially begin his time in his new position later this summer, but the Kellogg School District is very happy to have him back.