Nancy Stucky, principal, Triton Elementary

Nancy Stucky is the principal of Triton Elementary School in Triton Public Schools -- a consolidated district of Dodge Center, West Concord, and Claremont, located in southeastern Minnesota. Triton Elementary enrolls 575 students in grades preK-5, with the mission of: “Inspiring and preparing learners for life by providing educational opportunities in a safe, caring, and respectful environment.”

Learner-centered leadership is present at all levels of Triton Elementary School.  Members of the school community, particularly students, staff, and the principal, are involved in high quality learning with the goal of improving student achievement and celebrating their successes. In order for this to occur it’s essential to ensure that collaboration, shared decision-making, and a sense of mutual trust and respect are prevalent amongst all members. It is also necessary that school improvement efforts are systemic throughout the building.

Programming in Triton Elementary is of critical importance. “Our district has been identified as not making AYP, so it was necessary to look at the curriculum, resources, and instructional strategies,” said Stucky. During the 2008-09 school year, a new Math resource entitled Everyday Math was purchased for PreK-5. To address the reading program, the school invested in the Scott Foresman Reading Street.  “Through these two programs, with the Minnesota Academic Standards as our guide, we have seen much improvement in our students’ achievement,” Stucky continued.

The Minnesota Academic Standards also provide a foundation for all other programming.  Science and Social Studies are integrated as much as possible within the reading and math programs, as well as units of study at each grade level.  The students receive 25 minutes of physical education every day, music two times a week for a total of 50 minutes, art once a week for a 50-minute period, and library and computer time each for 25 minutes once a week.

As principal, Stucky believes: “All students want to and can learn. It becomes the school’s responsibility to capitalize that desire and build upon it to help them be successful. One successful experience for a child can be the beginning of a lifetime of successes.”

Triton Elementary School is a community in which parents, teachers, administrators, and other community members work together toward a common goal - to create lifelong learners in order for them to be successful members of society.  One specific group does not have all the answers when it comes to what it best for the Triton community.  That is why Triton teachers, support staff, and parents along with the administrator and community members are all involved in making decisions that affect the school and student achievement. 

“Triton Elementary believes that data is our friend and is the foundation from which instruction is based. When utilized as the means to identify what skills a student needs help with to achieve a goal, it is a critical component in helping students be successful,” said Stucky.