The newest face on the Lake Orion High School administrative team is one that many students may recognize from their elementary days.
New Associate Principal Bev Tepper, who deals with students? last names Gr-Om, has been working in the Lake Orion school district for 13 years, most recently as the principal for Paint Creek Elementary School.
She began her tenure her in July 1995, when she was hired as the principal of Pine Tree Elementary. In January 2000, she was relieved from that position to begin work on the new elementary, Paint Creek, which was slated to open that fall.
After spending seven years at Paint Creek Elementary, the departure of former Associate Principal Beth Davis left a space in the high school administration that needed to be filled and Tepper stepped up for the job.
‘I love it. It’s very, very different but I absolutely love it,? she said of her new position, adding that she had junior high and middle school experience as a teacher before coming to Lake Orion.
For Tepper, the new position meant the opportunity to tackle a new challenge.
‘My goal has been to have a lot of different experiences in education,? she said of her reason for taking her new position. ‘It keeps me going, it keeps me learning and it keeps me active in the education field.?
Another positive for Tepper was that she would get to meet new people, which she loves.
‘It’s like a whole new family here,? she added.
Tepper, who works in direct contact with the other two Associate Principals, Darrin Abbasse and Chris Bell, and Principal Todd Dunckley, said the biggest difference with her new position is the teamwork and job-sharing.
‘At the elementary school, it’s you. Every night activity is the principal. There is no job-sharing,? she said. ‘At the high school level, there are four of us on the administrative team and it really is a team.?
‘It’s a whole new wonderful experience,? Tepper said. ‘It’s fabulous. The teamwork is unbelievable. I’m very excited and honored to be part of this great team.?
She added that she is looking forward to being a part of all the high school experiences, with graduation being a special highlight.
‘Although I would go every year as an elementary principal, now I’ll actually have immediate contact with these children this year,? Tepper said.
‘I’ll cry harder this year, I’ll use more Kleenex this year,? she added with a laugh. ‘I always use Kleenex, but this year I’ll probably use more.?
According to Tepper, one of the great things about her job will be seeing her former students and their families.
‘What’s wonderful for me is that there are so many of the families, alumnus from Pine Tree and Paint Creek, and now I get to work with these families again,? she said. ‘I feel really honored to be able to work with them again.?