Natrona County Schools 'Thank You, Superintendent Hopkins, For Your Dedication To Educational Excellence And Our Community'

Press release from Natrona County Schools:

July 2, 2020

On behalf of the Natrona County School District, we would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Superintendent Steve Hopkins for his dedication and commitment to educational excellence in Natrona County.

Throughout his career with the Natrona County School District, he has left a fundamentally positive impact on the direction of education in Natrona County. Mr. Hopkins served as the district’s associate superintendent of business services for 17 years prior to taking the helm as superintendent in 2013.

Often one to shy away from the spotlight, Mr. Hopkins led with the quiet understanding that oftentimes the true telling of a great leader is directly related to the success of those around you and your ability to help lead them to succeed.

A colleague referred to Mr. Hopkins as a “lighthouse”; with a calm and steadfast demeanor. Hopkin’s leadership style coupled with his dedication to the betterment of the community we serve has been of paramount importance in guiding the Natrona County School District through both storms and clear waters.

Over the course of the past 7 years, NCSD has faced many challenges including difficult fiscal landscapes, school closures, a call for increased transparency, and most recently, a pandemic. Within those years, the District has also prioritized targeted efforts to provide a high-quality education to all students and support all stakeholders with the implementation of major maintenance & construction projects, the development of an inclusive and comprehensive Strategic Plan, the development of a Multi-tiered System of Support within all schools, increased public information and community partnerships, a curriculum overhaul, and much more.

Upon the announcement of his hire 7 years ago, Mr. Hopkins identified a goal of continuing to build upon the important relationship between students, staff, and school families; connecting school to home. He was often quoted as saying, “Our schools are a reflection of the community we support” and it’s with that genuine belief he led as Superintendent with honor, compassion for others, accountability, and dedication to community engagement.

In August of 2019, NCSD announced Mr. Mike Jennings, Executive Director of Human Resources and District Services, as the incoming Superintendent. Throughout the year, a strategic transition process has been underway. During their June 8th meeting, the Board of Trustees expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude for the leadership of Mr. Hopkins while welcoming Superintendent Jennings to the helm.

“I am humbled and honored to follow Mr. Hopkins in his leadership and direction,” shared Superintendent Mike Jennings. “I am excited to continue working with each of our tremendously talented and professional staff members. I am honored to work together with students, staff, parents, school families, the NCSD Board of Trustees, and our community to ensure positive, supportive, and safe learning environments that promote high expectations for all. As a community, we have cheered for each other during times of celebration and success, leaned on each other during times of difficulty, and gently encouraged and held each other accountable during times of needed learning and growth. As we move forward into the next academic year, it is with this mindset…the mindset of hard work, grace, collaboration, and togetherness…that I know we can continue forward with educational excellence in Natrona County.”

To Mr. Hopkins, thank you, and we wish you the very best in your future endeavors.

To Superintendent Jennings, welcome aboard, we are looking forward to your continued leadership at NCSD.

This press release was produced by Natrona County Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.