Leading from the heart

Anne Martfeld is the new principal of Siloam Springs High School

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Anne Martfeld is the new principal of Siloam Springs High School.
Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader Anne Martfeld is the new principal of Siloam Springs High School.

Siloam Springs High School's new leader, Anne Martfeld, is looking forward to finding the heart and passion for school in parents, teachers and perhaps most importantly students.

Martfeld was hired as high school principal in June to replace Jason Jones, who took a job as principal of Springdale High School earlier this year. Martfeld has 22 years of experience in education and most recently served as assistant principal at Don Tyson School of Innovation. She has also worked as an administrator in the Springdale and Rogers School Districts.

Martfeld didn't start out with the intention of becoming an educator. She earned a bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in computer science from the University of Arkansas. However, as the daughter of a veteran teacher, she soon realized that she had a heart for students.

"My mom taught for 40 years at Fort Smith Southside, so I knew education was in my heart, it just took me a little bit to get there," she said.

Martfeld took a job in the computer lab of middle school in Bartlesville, Okla., and she soon earned her teaching credentials and started teaching business, communication and journalism. She also began coaching basketball, cheer and drill team.

Martfeld's minor in computer science came in handy at a time when schools were just beginning to use technology. She often found herself teaching other teachers how to integrate technology into the classroom.

"That kind of started me on a leadership role, kind of seeing that I enjoyed working with teachers and helping them do better things in their classroom, I've always really enjoyed that piece of teaching," she said.

A mentor advised Martfeld to go back and earn her administration degree. As a leader, she values listening and developing relationships, she said.

"I think my leadership style is to be a thoughtful servant leader to my students, my families, the teachers," she said. "I'm big on school community."

The one common bond that most people in the U.S. have is they all went to school, Martfield noted. That makes it even more important for school leaders to find a heart and passion for school in parents, students and in teachers, she said.

Martfeld said, several times, that she feels very fortunate to be a part of Siloam Springs, pointing out it is a great school with excellent supports and values. She was also attracted to the area because Siloam Springs is a growing and changing community.

Outside of school, Martfeld loves to spend time with her husband of 21 years and two daughters, who are of the ages 17 and 13, and her dog. Her family loves going to the lake and cheering on the Razorbacks, she said. She described herself as being very competitive, and plays competitive tennis and enjoys Jazzercise.

Setting students up for success

Martfield's goal is to prepare students for the next stage of life and set them up for a high level of success, whether their next step is career and technical training or higher education.

She said she believes in a holistic approach to the high school experience and hopes to create well-rounded students who experience all high school has to offer, from academics to athletics, fine arts, and career and technical classes.

"Even though my background might be career and technical (education), my goal is to honor what's important for the whole experience, and not become tunnel visioned in one area, but to serve our community," Martfeld said. "What does Siloam Springs need from a graduate of this school in 2019? What does a community need for us to do to take it to the next level for this part of Arkansas? That's important."

It's especially important to give all students the opportunity to be well-rounded, no matter if they have needs that require them to be served differently than others, she said.

"Whether it's language or special education or income, those shouldn't be barriers in any school, same opportunity should be present for all our kids," Martfeld said. "It's my job to make sure we have a staff that shares those same ideals as a district and work tirelessly for the whole child, from all those areas to be successful."

Over the past month, Martfeld has taken the time to meet with more than 30 teachers to get to know them.

"That's real important to me to get to hear the voice of the teachers, as well as to hear the voice of students and parents, and to hear what their expectation and need from their high school experience is going to look like," she said.

Martfeld is cautious about change, but any changes that will be made will be driven by what she has heard from teachers, she said. In the future, she would like to offer students the opportunity to earn more academic credentials as well as career and technical credentials.

Martfeld said her next step is focusing on the school community and telling the school's story, especially for the many new staff members that have been added in recent years.

"We need to take the time to tell what is the story of Siloam Springs High School and what is our next story going to be?" she said. "What is the vision of our past, present and future?"

Telling the school's story is essential to help students feel pride in their school and to help parents have pride in what their students are doing on campus, she said. It also points to the fact that the heart of the Siloam Springs High School is with the students and families.

"I just can't say it enough," she said. "In education, there are so many things we can do now, but down to the detail, it is finding that relationship and sharing with the students our hearts and how we have pride in them and what they can accomplish, so we can set that next bar."

General News on 08/01/2018