Eau Claire (WQOW) - The start of a new year is just around the corner for most students, and for the Eau Claire Area Superintendent of Schools, it's also the start to a new job.
The back to school buzz was in the air Thursday morning as staff members gathered at Memorial High School to kick off the new school year.
Dr. Mary Ann Hardebeck was in town Thursday for the back to school welcome for all staff members in the district.
Dr. Hardebeck comes from a school district in Virginia with 66,000 students. Here in Eau Claire she will oversee over 11,000 students.
For many staff members it was also the first opportunity to meet their new district leader.
Dr. Hardebeck says," Well I think the biggest thing will be getting to know the district, getting to know the schools, meeting the people, finding out what's been happening in the district and then moving forward."
WQOW News 18 spoke with several staff members after the gathering. All of them had a positive impression of their new superintendent.
Mike Kessler, a teacher at Memorial High School says, "She's incredibly inspirational, I think she'll move us in the right direction, that's her goal, and we're more than willing to follow."
"We're all fully aware of how much traveling she has had to do this last week and trying to get herself situated, and I thought she presented herself grandly, " says Memorial High School teacher, Jim Kasmarek.
In Virginia Dr. Hardebeck served as the assistant superintendent, her new role will come with added responsibility. WQOW News 18 asked what drew her to the Eau Claire Area School District.
She says,"Well I think part of the superintendence is about public service, and I'm at a point in my career where I'm able to do that and be able to devote that time and energy to it and so the timing was right. I think the fit is right."
Dr. Hardebeck will begin her duties on September 10th.
