Galesburg-Augusta High School Principal Theresa King received a boost of confidence when the Galesburg-Augusta Board of Education removed interim from her title at the February 17 regular school board meeting, however when she learned support from administrators, staff and parents was an influencing factor, the board’s decision became much more satisfying.

King, also the current K-12 curriculum and instructional specialist in the G-A School District, is in her first role as a high school principal. She was named the interim high school principal last July for the 2024-2025 school year, filling the high school role Dr. Lindsey Newton held for two years after Newton was selected by the G-A Board of Education to be the district’s superintendent when Wendy Somers retired.

Dr. Newton said the school board started discussions to remove the interim portion of her title in December. She said feed back from the administrative team, high school staff and parents was a strong indicator removing the interim title was something others wanted to see and should be considered.

King said it was very rewarding to learn the board of education has been impressed with her leadership qualities. But it also meant a lot when she learned administrators, staff and parents in the local school district offered support.

“I was not at the December board meeting but I was told there were a group of teachers that went to the board meeting and asked for the interim (title) to be removed. It means a lot to me that they have confidence. I’ve never been a principal before so it’s definitely been a year of growing. I feel that we are working together very well, we’re communicating together very well and that we have the best interests at heart, which is the kids here at the high school. It’s been a very positive experience. They’ve been very gracious to me as I learn. It’s just been a very successful start to the year,” said King.

Dr. Newton said the school board recognized the hard work and qualities King brought to her role as interim high school principal and felt it was time to consider removing the interim title.

“We are very pleased with Theresa King’s performance, instructional focus and communication with our high school staff and students. Theresa is system oriented which helps in reaching academic and district goals. She has always been a major asset to our team, but now the high school principal position is officially hers. We couldn’t be happier,” said the G-A Superintendent.

Dr. Newton said a new contract for the 25-26 school year for King will be discussed some time this spring.

King started her career as an intern in the East Kentwood School District and later got a job in the Battle Creek Lakeview School district where she taught for nine years. She later had ambitions to be an instructional coach and got the opportunity to work under Dr. Terrance Lunger at the Calhoun County Intermediate School District for three to four years as a literacy consultant and school improvement facilitator. She later worked at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency as an educational improvement consultant for four years.

She said after working at Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency and Calhoun County Intermediate School District coaching principals in instructional practices and leadership for a number of years, it’s been  rewarding to do the work herself as a high school principal.

“It’s been very refreshing. I’ve been in a coaching position and a district administrator for about 10 years. I think something that was missing was daily interaction with kids. It’s been so wonderful to get to know kids again. I taught for 10 years and those other roles that I held I wasn’t with students directly. It was more about coaching teachers and leadership. So it’s been nice to do all of the things that’s fun about high school too. Homecoming and snowcoming. Just interacting with the students on a daily basis,” explained King, who will continue her role as K-12 Curriculum and Instructional Specialist.

It was while she was working in a position at KRESA she started working with the G-A School District. She wound up connected with the school district for seven years, starting at the G-A Primary School to improve literacy and instruction for all students as well as coaching.

She enjoyed her experience working in the G-A School District in her other roles so well, she applied for the curriculum director position and most recently, the interim high school principal position.
Now she hopes to have a long term working relationship with the G-A School District.

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