Chet Bachman has been through a lot of first days of school at MFL MarMac, first as a student, then later a teacher and coach. But Aug. 24 was his first as high school principal—a role he finds new and challenging, but ready for thanks to years of experience as an educator.

“My coaching years are over, my teaching years are done. It’s time to have a much broader impact,” he said, “to find ways to make things better, to lead and support.”

Bachman credited the recently-retired Larry Meyer for guidance, allowing him to learn behind the scenes after Bachman’s hiring was announced last year. He was also allowed to join MFL MarMac’s MTSS, or multi-tiered system of supports that helps guide student academics, behavior and social/emotional aspects.

“I’ve also talked to a lot of other principals,” Bachman said.

That included visits to three schools—Waukon, South Winneshiek and Bellevue—last spring to gather ideas.

“I took ideas from each one of those schools that I think would benefit us. Bits and pieces, because we still have our own culture we need to have and always keep. It was very meaningful,” Bachman said. “Then I met with half a dozen principals besides that, who were successful in what they did and who had been somewhere for a long time.”

Bachman isn’t afraid to think outside the box and continue learning. That was a hallmark of his coaching career.

“I did things that had never been done before, because I picked them up from other people. This job brings another avenue to do that,” he reflected.

Bachman acknowledged being a first-year principal will have a learning curve, especially transitioning from his most recent role as elementary physical education teacher. He has high school teaching and coaching experience, however, and said it helps that he knows many MFL MarMac students, K-12.

“Most of the students will know me, but they’ll have to get to know me with a different hat,” Bachman quipped.

He’s excited to forge relationships with students, helping them grow confidence—which he credited as a big part of being successful in life—and finding ways to support them and provide opportunities academically and extracurricular-wise.

“We’ve created more avenues for them to participate. But we’re still not there yet. I think we need to always provide support services within our school for academics, and then providing extracurriculars that are going to keep students involved. And then when you talk about academics, you’re talking about online coursework, but then you’re also talking about hands-on, because some kids are going to do better with hands-on,” Bachman said.

One area he hopes to offer support is through creation of a new classroom for alternative learning.

Bachman has also been focused on updating the handbook and setting expectations and accountability he believes will prepare students for the real world.

“It’s academics, but it’s also responsibility,” he noted.

Bachman values making school a safe and welcoming place.

“I want to be visible and I want to be a good listener. I want to be in the classrooms. I want to go in the hallways. I don’t want to leave any students go unknown. I think that’s very, very important in everything I’ve seen throughout my years as a educator,” he shared.

That goes for staff, too. Bachman said he sat down with each staff member to learn what they may need moving forward.

He likes that being principal allows him to get to know people better.

“I enjoy building relationships with all those kids, and now I get to build more relationships with staff and community members,” he said.