Rocky Comfort School's new principal said he has some "big shoes to fill" in taking over for Sue Buttram (who transferred to Southwest City School to replace the retired Deborah Wolin), but he sounds like he will enjoy the challenge.
Veteran educator Kern Sorrell, though new to the district, is not unfamiliar with McDonald County. Many of his years as a teacher, coach and administrator were at the neighboring East Newton School District.
"I have always been familiar with McDonald County," Sorrell said. "It's right next to the doorstep of East Newton and Pea Ridge (Sorrell is a 1988 graduate of Pea Ridge High School). I know a lot of people who have worked in the district. It was a good opportunity for me. From my first two weeks here, you can tell the passion the community has for the school. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms."
After graduating from Pea Ridge, Sorrell attended college in southern Arkansas for two years before transferring to Missouri Southern State University in Joplin where he ran track and cross country for the Lions. He graduated in 1994 and took his first teaching job at St. Elizabeth High School where he taught physical education and coached girls basketball.
From 1996 through 2009, Sorrell was at East Newton. He began teaching P.E. and coaching before becoming the district's transportation director and finally the principal at Triway Elementary School.
In 2009, he went to Miller where he was principal for grades 7-12 before coming back to East Newton last year as a teacher.
Sorrell said he is excited to be able to work for the district, especially at Rocky Comfort. He said Rocky Comfort is close to his home and close to Triway where he taught for several years.
"The staff that I have got to meet have a common vision and a common focus," Sorrell said. "There are a lot of good things going on in McDonald County. Everybody I have met has been so positive. I have always had a well-rounded respect for McDonald County and the people and I finally have the opportunity to work here."
Sorrell and his wife, Sherri, (occupational therapist with the East Newton School District) have four children. Emily is a junior and Kinsey is a freshman at East Newton High School, while Kelton is a fifth-grader and Chase is a third-grader at Granby Elementary School. He said all four are involved in sports.
"If I am not at school working, I am at school watching one of the kids," Sorrell said. "There is not too much down time."
Sorrell said he is anxious to get the year started.
"I am excited to meet with all the teachers and put our building focus together, then I will feel a lot more comfortable about Thursday when I get a chance to put a face with a name," he said. "I am excited about getting the kids back in a school. I am looking forward to a great year."
General News on 08/14/2014