The new principal of Bush Elementary School is ready to play an "integral part in the community" in her first year.
Holly Broadway is taking over as principal at Bush after spending the last three years as the assistant principal under former principal Lynne Engele.
"Students and families can let me know if they need anything. I have a pretty open door," Broadway said.
Broadway is a native of Wamego, Kansas, and she studied her undergraduate degree at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, received her masters from University of Missouri in St. Louis and obtained a specialist and doctorate degree from William Woods University.
Broadway previously taught music and band for 12 years with five of those years being in the North Callaway School District and seven at Bartley Elementary School.
"I'm lucky that (Engele) really gave me the opportunity to have a lot of experience and sort of prepared me for a role such as this," Broadway said. "She gave me the opportunity to be a part of teacher observations, evaluations and the academic pieces too."
Broadway explained her desire to ascend to the role of principal came from seeing the positive impact she could have on students when she was a music teacher. Broadway wanted to have a bigger impact. She developed a passion to be a leader for the students and teachers in the building.
She said she is ready for all the challenges that may come her way in her first year in this new role.
"Anytime you have new leadership in a building, you always just want to work on culture, and that's something we've already started on here," Broadway said.
Last week, Bush held its first staff retreat where the staff and faculty - including many new faces - began coming together as a team.
"I want a culture of team, family and community. These are all of our kids and all of our families and we have a 'whatever it takes' mindset here," Broadway explained.
Bush emphasized the level of excitement she saw in the faculty and staff during the retreat, whether they were new or returning members. She described the purpose of the retreat as "setting the tone" on what she hopes to be a "great year."
Bush will be hosting its open house from 2-6 p.m. Aug. 19. The open house gives students and parents an opportunity to come in and meet the teachers and bring in school supplies. Broadway said Bush will be piloting new programs this year for the district in English language arts.
"As I've run into people in the community, they're excited - and not just excited because their kids are going back to school - but they're excited for their children to be here. I've always wanted a building where people are excited to be coming in, and I really sense that coming into this next year," Broadway said.