FOCUS on the FORCE: Meet the new Loy Elementary School principal Published Sept. 7, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Emerald Ralston 341st Space Wing Public Affairs office MALMSTORM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Loy Elementary School students, roughly 95 percent of whom have parents assigned to Malmstrom, were greeted by a new face when they returned to class Aug. 29. Principal Ryan Hart took over for former principal Tammy Lacey this year. Mr. Hart's vision for the school is to always do what is in the best interest of the children. "Not every kid learns the same way, not every kid requires the same instruction or treatment and we need to ensure that our decisions are made in the best interest of each individual child," Mr. Hart said. "We always have to strive to do our best for these kids." Born and raised in Great Falls, Mr. Hart is familiar with the public school system. "I attended all Great Falls public schools, graduated from Great Falls High School," he said. "Then I attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., and graduated from Minot State University." However, Mr. Hart did receive his master's degree in Educational Leadership from Montana State University and is putting it to use during his first assignment as a principal. No stranger to kids, with two of his own, Greydon, 7, and Lauryn, 4, and another one on the way, the Great Falls native previously taught second and fifth grades at Roosevelt Elementary school. He started there in 1999. As far as being a new principal goes, Mr. Hart said he enjoys what he does and appreciates the differences between his responsibilities now as opposed to those of being a teacher. "I think what strikes me most is I get to see all the kids in the building, not just the ones in my class," he said. "I get to go around throughout the day and I get to see a lot of really good teachers teaching. To be able to get in there in the different classrooms and see the different kids and teachers is a lot of fun." But, he said, there is also a constant demand for a lot of attention to details that, as a classroom teacher, he wasn't aware of. "From dealing with issues like the new parking lot to new power cords, there are all kinds of things I deal with now that I never did before," he said. "My primary responsibility is monitoring the building and instruction, but a lot of things pop up in other areas. I also get to spend a lot more time meeting the parents and children as principal." When asked what he did on a typical day, Mr. Hart laughed and said "There are no typical days in this job." One of the best aspects of being principal, Mr. Hart said, is meeting and interacting with the parents more frequently. "Meeting parents and students has been a big highlight for me, especially coming into a new building," Mr. Hart said. "The welcome has been warm from the staff, students and parents so it has been a great start to the year and it had been nice to meet all these great people." With many new opportunities on the horizon, Mr. Hart and the students and staff of Loy Elementary look forward to a great year as Mr. Hart takes on the new and exciting responsibilities of being principal.