A SusanvilleStuff Feature
By Melissa Blosser, Assistant Editor
Dave Howard is no stranger to the Lassen County area, as his parents owned a cabin in the Diamond Mt. area where he would spend time vacationing in a cabin built by the family. According to Howard, he always wanted to come back to the Lassen County area.
“Life’s too short not to live in Susanville,” said Howard. “I just love the feeling here,” he said.
According to Howard, he plans to observe and take in things going on at Meadow View prior to making too many changes, but Howard has an extensive background that is sure to complement education at Meadow View.
“First I am going to get familiar with things, and then I will look for opportunities to use my skills and make improvements,” said Howard. I am happy to be here, getting a principals job is extraordinarily tough to do because of the competition.”
“I am very impressed with the school district here and things happen much faster than they did in Washoe County. I have noticed things really get done here quickly.”
Howard’s most recent position was held in Washoe County at Pine, where he served as Dean of Students. It was there were with the help of staff, he reduced referrals by 50% five years in a row. The school also struggled with (AYP) annual yearly progress, particularly with Hispanic students and math, and as a team they were able to make strides.
“We were in AYP jail and with the help of the math teachers and everyone working together we were able to get ourselves out,” said Howard.
Overall Howard has 22 years teaching experience in Washoe County. Howard taught elementary school for over 14 years, and most of the years were spent in 4th grade. Howard graduated from Trevecca University, in Tennessee and did his student teaching there. Howard also gained additional experience by teaching classes at university of Phoenix in Math and Science preparing teachers to become teachers.
“I had to learn a variety of different curriculum,” said Howard. “I also taught school law, California and Nevada laws are very similar.”
Howard comes from a family who pursued careers in the education system. Out of a family of four siblings three decided to join the field of education. His mother received her doctorate from Vanderbilt, was taught in Trevecca, and was living in Reno, where according to Howard she was having trouble breaking into administration.
“One of the reasons she went to Tennessee was because back then there weren’t a lot of schools who would hire a female school administrator,” said Howard.
One thing Howard says he is excited about rolling out technology projects, and increasing the use of I-pads. One of his masters is in technology and education. Howard also set up wireless at a higher speed for student and teachers.
“My favorite part about education is getting to know people and being in a position to help them whether they are parents, students or teachers,” said Howard.
Howard’s wife Vickie, is also the assistant principal at Sun Valley Elementary in Reno. Together they have four children.
According to Howard he wanted to make the leap between being a teacher to administration to help become part of the “solution in education.
“As a teacher in the classroom, there were things going on in the classroom I wasn’t happy about,” said Howard. “I wanted to be part of that conversation, part of the solution.”