Shawn Holland has been selected as the new principal at the Allen County Intermediate Center. Holland comes to the Allen County School district after serving as principal of Richpond Elementary School in Warren County for the past 12 years.
Holland grew up in the Muhlenberg County community of Beechmont and graduated from Hughes-Kirkpatrick High School in 1983. He attended college at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree and, later, his Rank I certification.
Early in his education career Holland taught middle school Social Studies in the Bowling Green Independent School District and coached basketball. He would them move into administration in the Warren County School District.
“I was an assistant principal at Moss Middle School for one year,” Holland explained. “Then, I moved to Richpond. I hadn’t been in elementary school since I was a student when I took the job at Richpond. It was a learning experience.”
When asked about his decision to seek the principal’s position at the Intermediate Center, Holland admitted he was in need of a new environment.
“I needed a professional change,” Holland said. “Allen County is actually close to where I live and I knew that this community is very supportive of their schools. I have heard nothing but great things about the faculty and staff and the families and community. When it became time for a change, Allen County was very high on my list and I was fortunate that the Intermediate Center’s principal position opened at an opportune time for me.”
Holland pledges that he will “treat everybody fairly” and adds that much will be expected from the students.
“We are going to work our students hard academically and we are not going to make excuses,’ Holland noted. “We will have extremely high standards for academics and for behavior. At the same time, I want the kids who come into this school to know that somebody cares about them. We are here for them. I want this school to be a safe and nurturing environment where kids are challenged each and every day to extend their learning.”
In addition, Holland says changes may be forthcoming in the months ahead.
“I ask people to be patient as I learn the system and I hope people understand that once I get the lay of the land, I will probably be making some changes,” Holland said.
Holland will spend the month of July settling in to the school and preparing for the return of students to the classroom on August 6.