Dayton Elementary Welcomes New Leader

DAYTON - New smiles greet students and visitors to the Dayton Elementary School office these days. Recently appointed Principal Pam Lindsley and school secretary Zarabeth Bierman have joined secretary Jennifer Finney in manag- ing the day-to-day business of operating a busy grade school.

Lindsley, of Spokane, was hired this summer to fill the shoes of outgoing principal Katie Leid, who retired at the end of the 2012-2013 school year following nine years with the district.

"I am truly happy to be here," Lindsley said. The former elementary school teacher is quick to laugh and plans to spend her first year in Dayton visiting classrooms, roaming the recess playground and building relationships.

"The kids are the best part about the job," she said.

But forming bonds with the teachers and other school staff is just as important to Lindsley, who is taking on the role of principal for the first time with her new position in Dayton. She has taught everything from kindergarten to fourth grade over the past 16 years but held off on pursuing a leader- ship appointment until her own children, both now in their 20s, were finished with college and sports.

Lindsley's husband, Victor, is an industrial electrician. He still works and lives in Spokane, but the couple hopes to settle down full time in Dayton eventually.

"Dayton is just right for us," Lindsley said. The rural location suits them both, she said. Of course it helps that her favorite pastimes are things like snowmobiling and dirt biking. But she likes quieter activities as well, including scrapbooking, making cards and reading historical fiction.

Joining Lindsley in the elementary school office are new school secretaries Bierman and Finney. Finney was hired to help former school secretary Dallas Dickenson in the office part time last year. With Dickinson's retirement at the end of the last school year, after more than 20 years with the district, Finney was hired full time in the office.

Finney worked previ- ously as the coordinator for the afterschool program in Dayton and has experience working in social services. She has lived in the community with her husband, Dave, and two sons for about five years.

She is thrilled to join the office team, serving the families and children of Dayton.

"I love my position at the school," she said. "My favorite part of the job is building relationships. I really enjoy seeing the children each day and being part of such a great team."

Her office partner, Bierman, is also focused on relationships in her first year serving the dis- trict. "First and foremost, I'm trying to learn all the elementary students by their first names," she said. "Thankfully the kids are helpful and forgiving with this goal."

Bierman, who recently moved to Dayton from Walla Walla, is a Dayton High School graduate. She has experience working for Blue Mountain Action Council as a Reading Corps Program Coordinator and has spent time working with children as an AmeriCorps tutor and supervisor as well.