Rogers to be new principal at HHS
By Frank Bradley Staff writer

Matt Rogers will assume the duties as Hayesville High School principal beginning in January, taking over the reign from Dr. Gail Criss, who retires after 14 years on the job.

That's the decision announced by Superintendent Scott Penland on Tuesday.

"He's got some big shoes to fill taking over from Dr. Criss, but he's up for it," Penland told the Sentinel. "Matt is level headed and makes good sound decisions. He has 25 years experience as teacher, principal, coach and administrator in three different schools," Penland said.

According to Penland, no decision has been reached as to who will become principal of Hayesville Elementary School, a job Rogers has held for the past two years.

Rogers is a Graham County native and graduate of Robbinsville High School. He taught math for 12 years at Murphy High School, worked in the Cherokee County Central Office as the Technical Director, was Assistant Principal of Murphy Elementary School for four years and principal of the school in Marble for three years, and briefly served as principal of Martin's Creek School before coming to Hayesville. Rogers's wife, Susie, has been a nurse with the Clay County Health Department for the past 28 years. They have two children, both graduates of Hayesville High School: Lauren, who is a senior at Western Carolina University, majoring in Elementary Education and Erin, who is currently attending Tri-County Community College with plans to go into the field of dental hygine.

Rogers said while he leaves the elementary school with some reluctance because it has been such a great experience for him, he is looking forward to the challenge of leading Hayesville High School.

"I have really enjoyed Hayesville Elementary School," he said. "It is a wonderful school. The staff and teachers really care about the kids. They have their best interest at heart, and that is what education is all about."

Rogers said moving to the high school brings new challenges for him.

"Hayesville High School has been at the top in academics and athletics in this part of the state," he said. "Dr. Criss has hired excellent teachers. I hope I can step in where she left off and bring in some new ideas of my own. All of my teaching experience has been in the high school."

Rogers said the objective of the high school is to try and give everybody a broad education. Kids from our high school are accepted in the colleges across this country, he said, adding that Clay County has kept ahead of a lot of school in the state in country regarding technology.

Rogers said the role of the teacher is shifting. Twenty years ago, the teacher and books were the source of knowledge for students, he said. Now teachers are becoming more facilitators for the students learning. Showing them how to find and use information. How to sort through it and filter it, putting it to good use.

Commenting on athletics, Rogers said that he believes a lot of skills learned by kids playing sports become valuable lessons for them in everyday life. Learning to work as a team. Working hard when things aren't going your way and learning to over coming adversity, are some of the benefits he sees from participating in athletics. He also feels the athletic program does a lot to create visibility within the community, to bring people together, to engender pride.

Rogers said he was very much supportive of the exchange program where high school students visit other countries and learn about their school system and cultural way. He also supports the Early College Program, where some students attend classes at Tri- County Community College, which might keep some kids from dropping out of school and also allows them to graduate from high school and complete as much as two years of college.

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