Dr. Kevin Jauch Takes Over as Avoca's Superintendent

July 1 marks a changing of the guard for Avoca School District 37, as Dr. Kevin Jauch takes over as superintendent from Dr. Joseph Porto.

To honor the occassion, Patch is sharing excerpts from interviews with and . The Q&A's first ran in January, .

Also in Avoca news today, will officially become the principal of Avoca West Elementary, the position previously held by Jauch.

What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your entire career as an educator?

Humility. I learn something new every single day, just as often from children as I do from parents and staff. 

How confident are you that you can implement the new three-year district 37 strategic plan?

Cautiously optimistic, and I say it that way from the standpoint of, I know the school district, I know where we currently are with our strategic plan and I was here when we finished our last strategic plan. So I feel I am uniquely positioned to lead us into the next strategic plan. I am cautious because I am a cautious person. 

Are you confident that you can keep a balanced budget?

Right now, as you look at our 5-year projection, we're in pretty good fiscal shape throughout the next teacher contracts. Again, I am cautiously optimistic, because you don't know what the economy holds. 

What are you going to miss the most about your current job?

One of my favorite things to do is to stand out in the morning and greet the kids as they get off the bus. Leaving the elementary school children is going to be the most difficult thing for me, but on the plus side, the administrative offices in the district are located in the middle school, and the 6, 7 and 8th graders are my former students.

How would you describe the job of school superintendent?

It is a multifaceted job - I work with many constituencies with the goal in mind of achieving our mission. My main responsibility is working with the school board but I also work with administrators, teachers and parents. It's very challenging, but that's also the part I like best. 

Can you highlight some successes in your career?

In Avoca, our academic achievement is now within the top 1 percent in the state, and we have increased the student achievement each year since 2005. I am very proud of the academic success that our students have experienced.

Most valuable lesson you learned in your entire career as an educator?

The most important lesson I've learned as a superintendent is that you can't do it alone. It's a united effort with parents, school board members, teachers, administrators and community members all working together.