Teachers enter the education field because they want to work with kids. The new superintendent of Park County School District 1 is no exception.

The district hired Mr. Jay Curtis last spring to be the new superintendent this year. Mr. Curtis has brought many qualities to PCSD1 and his colleagues noticed something right away..

“I think one of the top qualities of Mr.Curtis is that he puts students first and that’s pretty cool,” said Curriculum Coordinator Mr. RJ Kost. “Coming into a new school system as he has, I think the biggest thing is getting to know people and how things were done before.”

Mr. Curtis, who previously served as superintendent in Meeteetse, said his favorite part of moving to Powell is the people. He is impressed with how friendly everyone is and how everyone says how good the schools are.

“I would actually have to say it was much easier than I thought it would be. This town and school system are really so welcoming. A lot of really, really great people help me to be the best that I can be,” said Mr. Curtis about his transition to Powell. “I think the culture of collaboration was really impressive to me when I first moved to town.”

Mr. Curtis thinks Powell is an excellent district, but he is always trying to make it even better.

“When I think of a great district, I think of a lot of things, Curtis said. “I think of a school district that is preparing every single child to meet the challenges of the 21st century when they walk out the doors.”

Mr. Kost is also working with Mr. Curtis to improve the school curriculum.

“I hope that as we continue that we are able to create more flexibility in our education for our kids because right now, everything tends to be like it was years, and years and years ago, Mr. Kost said. “So if we can come up with new ideas for you guys can learn and create more meaningful education for you, we need to try and find ways to do that,”

Mr. Kost thinks that Mr. Curtis is a great fit for the Powell schools.

“I think Mr. Curtis is a really good match, and I think he is going to bring a lot of innovative new education for our district,” Mr. Kost said.

Mr. Curtis enjoys working with everyone in the schools and tries to be in 30-35 classrooms a week.

“I just love seeing kids. I didn’t get into this job to sit behind a desk and so I just really love the people when you walk into a school. I love the warm and welcoming environment that I see when I walk into every building in Powell. That’s not something you manufacture,” Mr Curtis said about his favorite part of his job. “It comes from the people that are within it. You have very respectful students who say hello and look adults in the eye. This place is full of great teachers and great professionals.”