Someone new steps into the role of principal at Lima Senior High School this year, but it is someone who has already put in plenty of miles in those hallways.
Alison Van Gorder, an assistant principal and former small school leader, takes over for retiring Principal Doug Kent. She has spent her entire career with the Lima City Schools.
“The Lima City Schools is all I have ever known and I am thrilled to have been chosen to lead Lima Senior into the future,” she said. “I feel like I will be continuing the work I have already started while also seeking out ways to make our school even better.”
Van Gorder began her career in 2002 as an intervention specialist at West Middle School. She moved to Lima Senior’s School of Multiple Intelligences (MI) in the same position in 2005.
Van Gorder spent a year and a half as interim assistant principal with the Progressive Academy small school before being named MI small school leader in 2011. When Lima Senior moved away from the small school concept and returned to one school in 2013, Van Gorder became one of three assistant principals.
“Having already been a small school leader, I certainly aspired to be back in that school leadership position again,” she said. “I am excited for the new school year to begin and look forward to continuing to forge positive relationships with students, families and staff.”
T.J. Winkler takes over at Lima West Middle School following Principal Steve Carr’s retirement.
Winkler, a 1989 Lima Senior graduate, comes from Waynesfield-Goshen, where he served as high school/middle school principal since 2003. He began his teaching career at South Middle School in Lima in 1994 and remained there until going to Waynesfield-Goshen.
South Science and Technology Magnet School welcomes Principal Chad Fallis, who had been principal at Independence Elementary School.
Fallis replaces Tricia Winkler, who had been splitting her time as principal between South and Unity Elementary School. Winkler, who has been with the district since 1994, now will just lead Unity.
Fallis began his career at Lima City Schools in 1998 teaching science at North Middle School. He was building coach at Liberty Elementary School for one year before being named Independence principal in 2008.
Taking over at Independence is Matt Quatman, who comes from Lima North Middle School, where he has been assistant principal for the past three years. Prior to coming to North, Quatman was school counselor at St. Charles Catholic School. He began there in 2003.
North band teacher Trent Miller is the new North assistant principal. He has been with the district since 2005.