RAPID CITY, S.D. — As West Middle School prepares for the new school year, incoming Principal Bobbie Morrison says her priority is building relationships, maintaining the school’s strong traditions and creating an environment where students, staff and families feel connected.

Morrison, who most recently served as assistant principal at Central High School, brings experience from nearly every level of education, including work as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, classroom teacher and administrator. She said her path into education was anything but traditional. After exploring careers in other fields and spending time substituting while her children were in school, she realized teaching was where she belonged. She later taught in Texas before returning to South Dakota, where she worked in Hill City and eventually joined Rapid City Area Schools.

Leaving Central High School was difficult, Morrison said, describing it as a special place with a positive culture. However, the opportunity to lead West Middle School appealed to her because of her family’s connection to the school and the strong sense of community she has seen there. Two of her children attended West before graduating from Stevens High School, and she said hearing about their positive experiences made the transition even more meaningful.

Throughout her career, Morrison has worked with students from preschool through high school, teaching pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, second grade, third grade and special education. While she enjoyed every level, she said second grade remains her favorite because students are eager to learn without the added pressure of standardized testing. She believes her experience across multiple positions gives her perspective when working with teachers and staff because she understands many of the challenges they face firsthand.

As she begins leading West Middle School, Morrison said she wants the school’s vision and values to be developed collaboratively rather than dictated from the principal’s office. She has already assembled a leadership team to begin conversations about the school’s core values and wants teachers and staff to play an active role in defining the culture they want to strengthen. Rather than introducing sweeping changes, she said one of her first questions has been asking staff what traditions or programs they believe should never disappear so those strengths can continue to grow.

Morrison said one of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of being visible. Families and students can expect to see her frequently in classrooms and hallways because she prefers spending time with students and staff instead of remaining in her office. She also plans to emphasize open communication, making herself accessible through email and even her personal cell phone when needed. While she has already begun communicating with staff during the summer, she said she also wants to respect their time away before the school year begins.

Working with middle school students is especially rewarding, Morrison said, because they are discovering who they are while preparing for high school. Having watched students she first met in middle school later graduate from Central High School, she has seen firsthand how important those transitional years can be. She described middle school students as honest, energetic and still learning about themselves, making it an exciting stage of education.

As the new school year approaches, Morrison hopes to bring enthusiasm and positive energy to the building. One of her goals is making sure every student feels acknowledged each day, saying she wants to eliminate the feeling that anyone can walk through the school unnoticed. She hopes every student and staff member experiences a welcoming environment where people greet one another and feel they belong.

Outside of school, Morrison enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. She and her husband, both originally from Northern California, enjoy returning to the coast when they can. Her family also spends time around horses and fly fishing, although she joked that she prefers sitting nearby with a good book while her husband fishes. She also participates in a family book club with relatives across the country, meeting monthly by video call and taking annual trips centered around reading.

Reflecting on her own education, Morrison credited her middle school English teacher, Mr. Bartram, with inspiring her love of reading and writing through engaging classroom projects and memorable experiences. She said teachers who create those lasting connections can influence students for years to come.

Morrison said she believes public schools provide students with opportunities to interact with people from many different backgrounds and experiences, preparing them for life beyond graduation. She said those daily interactions are one of the greatest strengths of public education and an important part of helping students understand the world around them.