Published: June 30, 2009 01:04 am      

Board names Cimarron Middle School principal

EDMOND — Andy North has been named the new principal at Cimarron Middle School.

The former assistant principal at Summit Middle School will replace Susie Schinnerer, who is moving to Cheyenne Middle School.

North said he started teaching middle school 11 years ago in Mustang. “After about seven years in the classroom, my administrator encouraged me to go into administration,” he said.

He was assistant principal at Mustang Middle School for two years before moving to Summit.

Speaking of the principal at Summit, North said, “I liked what Desarae (Witmer) was doing and I liked her style. She also encouraged me to look at being a principal, and when a position opened I decided I could make a lateral move for her.”

“She told me, ‘If you work hard and do a good job your chances are great,’” North said.

Witmer said North is passionate about middle school students.

“He is a hard worker, has the knowledge and desire to help students learn and to support teachers in that process,” Witmer said.

“Mr. North and I share the same philosophy in always doing what is best for the students. I think he will make an excellent administrator for Cimarron.”

North said being a principal has been his goal and this is where he wants to be right now.

“I believe middle school is a calling,” North said. “They are at such a fragile time in their development. They are starting to look like an adult, feel like an adult and understand more things. They are at an age where they still want to please and are eager to learn. They are still in that discovery stage, but they are developing their wings and learning to fly.”

While at Mustang Middle School, North taught seventh-graders geography and history, coached football and started the district’s golf program in the middle school.