Isakson switches from high school to Big Lake Elementary

Former Sedro-Woolley High School Assistant Principal Brian Isakson said he has a lot to learn before he starts as the new principal at Big Lake Elementary School.

Isakson, who has worked in the Sedro-Woolley District for 14 years, said transitioning to an elementary position after being at the high school for so long will have “a big learning curve,” but also exciting.

Most recently he served as assistant principal at the high school for six years and as a science teacher for eight years, and spent some time as an elementary science coordinator.

Isakson said Sedro-Woolley Principal Mike Schweigert helped prepare him for the post by allowing Isakson to work on curriculum and staff development issues.

“A lot of vice principals don’t get to work on that kind of thing so when you move into a principal position you’re really ready,” Isakson said during a break in a planning meeting last week.

Sedro-Woolley School District Superintendent Mark Venn said more than 30 people applied for the post that was vacated by Rob Guy in June.

“We had some real quality candidates,” Venn said.

Isakson said Big Lake Elementary parents tend to volunteer and raise more money than most schools.

“It’s probably the highest parental support of any school I’ve ever heard of,” he said. “It’s a really tight community.”

But Isakson said he can’t be blinded by the school’s good fortune and high test scores.

“We still have students that are not meeting standards,” Isakson said. “We have the pieces in place to be an excellent school.”

Isakson said he wants to set the bar higher for students at the school. The first step is to break down testing data to see where the weaknesses are, he said. And he said he needs to familiarize himself with the kindergarten-through-sixth-grade curriculum and the items students in those grades are expected to know.

Venn said Isakson’s biggest challenge is to get to know the community.

“Even though he’s been in the district for years ... he has to learn the culture and expectations and get to know people,” Venn said.

Kate Martin can be reached at 360-416-2145 or .