Buffalo Ridge welcomes interim principal
Carrie Rotherham is the interim principal for BRE for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.
Article and photo by Elean Gersack
Carrie Rotherham has joined Buffalo Ridge Elementary School as interim principal for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year. After the departure of former principal Ally Berggren in December, the district named Rotherham to lead BRE until a permanent principal can be hired.
Rotherham is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. There, she spent seven years teaching second through fourth grades and also obtained a master’s degree in elementary education. In 2003, she, her husband, and twin boys (now age 11), relocated to Castle Rock.
Rotherham started her career with Douglas County School District (DCSD) at South Elementary School teaching fifth grade. While there, she earned her special education endorsement and spent the remainder of her time there supporting kindergarten through sixth graders as a learning specialist. In 2009, she was hired as part of the core team to open Sage Canyon Elementary School where she was assistant principal for the past two and a half years.
“My first few weeks have been full of smiles, hugs and lots of support. BRE is a very friendly and nurturing place,” said Rotherham. “The entire focus here is on the students, just as it should be. The students have opened their hearts to me and I feel privileged to be part of this community.”
As interim principal, Rotherham aims to be a support to students, staff and families during the transition. “I feel that the staff here is strong and they are ready and willing to work hard for the students. My role will be to support them so they can continue doing what they do best,” she said.
As for a permanent principal for the school, the district has begun the application review process and has slated late February for interviews with the hope of naming the new principal by mid-April. A parent and community survey was e-mailed in mid-January to gather specific qualities desired in the next BRE principal and soon, staff and parent leaders will have an opportunity to meet with the district to share thoughts as well.
Rotherham has applied for the position herself but does have a job waiting for her at Sage Canyon if she is not selected. “I think being the principal of BRE is a wonderful opportunity,” she shares.
“I will do all that I can to make sure that the staff and community has input into that decision. The most important piece of finding a new leader is that their strengths fit with the goals and visions of the Buffalo Ridge community,” said Rotherham.
BRE parents and community members can access the new principal survey through February 4 at http://schools.dcsdk12.org/bre.
