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Wendorff hired as new SSC superintendent


		July 14, 2010

Ann Wendorff is anxious to get acquainted with the people of the SSC community. She will be the new superintendent.	Officially hired last Monday evening, July 5, the new Southwest Star Concept superintendent is Ann Wendorff. Her official duties will begin on August 1, but she will be transitioning in during July.

Officially hired last Monday evening, July 5, the new Southwest Star Concept superintendent is Ann Wendorff. Her official duties will begin on August 1, but she will be transitioning in during July. “I was looking for a different challenge, and I’m very excited to join the SSC team,” Wendorff said. For the past seven years, she has served as Principal for the Red Rock Ridge Alternative Learning Center in Windom. Working for the Southwest/ West Central Service Cooperative, Wendorff explained that she “left a great organization and great people, and if I didn’t feel good about this organization and people, I wouldn’t have come here.” She is looking forward to meeting and getting to know the people of Heron Lake and Okabena. “My door is always open to the public,” she stressed. “I welcome people to come in and meet me and I’m eager to go meet them, too.” Wendorff won’t be in the district on a regular basis until August 1, but she will be taking part in some duties prior to then. She has been involved with some interviews for teaching positions. She will be attending the board meeting and meeting with superintendent Becky Cselovszki, who is taking a new position at St. James. At the same time, Wendorff is wrapping up her duties at the ALC in Windom. “I want to leave everything in order for the next person,” she explained, adding that a person “has to close one door before opening the next one.” As her new door opens at SSC, Wendorff indicated that her plans are to begin her days at the elementary school in Heron Lake. “I want to meet the staff and kids, to let them know who I am and what I do,” she said. Wendorff feels that the TEAM model used by the elementary staff is working well, and she plans to “support them in what they’re doing.” After spending some time in Heron Lake, she plans to travel to Okabena for the remainder of the day. Meeting the students and staff are “very important” to Wendorff. “And I love to be involved with the kids,” she added. “The superintendent is a new role for me,” Wendorff said. She’s looking forward to “learning the ropes” about the finances from secretary Tracy Freking. “The challenge is the finances,” she said of her new position. “SSC has done well with what they have.” Some financial issues are based on how and when the state has been paying school districts. “That’s a state problem, not a local one,” she added. Wendorff knows people may have some questions, and she’s willing to help people understand. “It costs money to educate. . . to raise kids in the school, just as it does at home,” she added, stressing again that her door is open if anyone has questions. Wendorff hopes to become involved in the civic organizations in the communities, and is looking forward to meeting the people in the district. As she has lived in southwestern Minnesota for many years, she does know some, but is anxious to meet more. Prior to her years at Red Rock Ridge ALC, Wendorff served as middle school principal in Kenyon-Wanamingo school district. She was the Alternative Learning Center director in Jackson for a couple years and a school counselor for seven area districts for several years before that. Wendorff began teaching elementary physical education in Fulda. She obtained her Bachelors, Masters and Superintendent/Principal degrees at Mankato State University. Wendorff lives in Windom, with her husband, teach/ coach Ron. They have two children, Mitchell and Megan, both of whom have made education their careers. Mitchell is beginning his fifth year teaching in Hawaii, and Megan will be starting her second year at Pipestone this fall. During her spare time, Wendorff enjoys walking, biking, reading and traveling. “I enjoy going to sporting events and other events,” she added. “I like to watch kids compete and perform.”