Duesenberg chosen as Clear Creek/Sunset principal

A longtime member of the Clear Lake Community School System has been chosen as the new principal for Clear Creek/Sunset Elementary.

Superintendent Anita Micich said she will recommend current Student and Family Services Coordinator Sally Duesenberg succeed retiring principal Mike Barkley in the 2016-17 school year.  The School Board is expected to act on the recommendation at its March 9 meeting.

“I have offered the principal position to Sally Duesenberg and she has verbally accepted.  She is excited to serve this district and the children, families and staff at Clear Creek and Sunset,” said Micich.  “Sally brings a depth of knowledge and experience in working as a teacher and as our At-Risk Coordinator in our school district. Her efforts have created lasting community connections to our schools. She truly has passion for children and has a strong commitment as a leader who will continue to build positive relationships and guide teachers and staff in the work that happens on a daily basis.”

Micich said there were over 30 applicants for the position and six were invited to interview on Feb. 22.  Each applicant interviewed with the Administrative Leadership Team, a Teacher/Staff Team from Clear Creek/Sunset, completed a writing sample and were given individual tours with Principal Barkley.

Duesenberg is currently in her 21st year serving the district. She started her career in education as a para-educator, then returned to college to earn a degree in elementary and special education.  She spent nine years working in special education at Clear Lake Middle School before becoming the district’s first Student and Family Services Coordinator for grades kindergarten to 12 seven years ago.  While serving local students and their families, Duesenberg continued her own education at the University of Northern Iowa.  She was awarded a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in May 2015.

“I think serving in different positions and grade levels has given me good perspective and helped prepare me for the position,” said Duesenberg.  “I worked as a para

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at the elementary and I have really enjoyed being a part of the Clear Creek and Sunset team the last seven years.”

Barkley has been a mentor and “an amazing example” of school leadership, said Duisenberg, adding that he, along with Assistant Principal and Curriculum Coordinator Tracy Thomsen, Superintendent Micich and other members of the administrative team have supported and helped to prepare her for her new position.

“I have really enjoyed being a part of the Clear Creek and Sunset team and I hope to provide stability and continuity of the great things our staff has been doing,” she said. “The relationships that have been built between families and the schools are very important to me.  Home, school and community relationships are important to do the best for our kids— and we really have that in Clear Lake.”

Micich expressed her thanks to the teacher/staff team for their contributions and careful considerations in the hiring process. The team included: Sara Allen, Becky Brandt, Kim Quintus, Lesley Finn, Jane Lobdell, Troy Wiegmann and Ann Kockler.

Approximately 700 students attend pre-kindergarten through fifth grade at Clear Creek and Sunset schools, led by a staff of about 90.

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