By Tracy Ouellette
Staff Writer
When students report for school today at Waterford Union High School, many will be greeted by a familiar face.
Dan Foster, who served as associate principal and dean of students before leaving the district in 2011, is the high school’s new principal.
And even if many underclassmen don’t know who Foster is, they might still recognize the face, as it bears a striking resemblance to a certain fictional spaceman.
“Ever since ‘Toy Story’ came out, I’ve been called Buzz Lightyear,” said Foster. “It’s been following me around for 20 years.” The new principal takes it in stride, with a smile on his face, and says there’s only been one time when a student used that nickname in a derogatory manner. “It’s a way for me to connect with the kids. It’s great!”
Foster returned to Waterford High School earlier this month after Eric Blake retired unexpectedly as of July 31. Foster has been the principal at Whitewater Middle School for the past two years, after leaving Waterford for that position.
When Blake announced his retirement, Waterford Superintendent Keith Brandstetter picked up the phone and called Foster to ask if he’d be interested in the position.
He was, but not because he was unhappy in Whitewater. “I was having a blast over there,” said Foster. “It was a wonderful time. I had a great boss and district and the support of the families and kids. It was a good opportunity to grow.”
Foster takes pride in his accomplishments in Whitewater. “The first year I was there, discipline referrals went down by half,” he said. “And the trend continued the second year.”
“I was really able to do some nice things for the students so the staff could focus on teaching.”
Leaving wasn’t even on his radar. “I’ve got a school over there and it’s turning around,” Foster explained. “We’re doing good things and the students are responding.”
But Waterford isn’t your average high school and Foster knows that better than most.
“We have a lot of people here who love what they do,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like the grind.”
Foster recalled his very first day on staff in 2004 when he met another teacher who said when he started, he figured he’d be with the school 4 or 5 years. That teacher is still at Waterford, said Foster, after a couple of decades.
“It’s a very hard place to leave,” said Foster/
New challenges
As associate principal in Waterford from 2004 to 2011, discipline was Foster’s responsibility. He said one of his biggest challenges now is to let go of that and take on more of an educational leadership role with the students.
“I think the kids will accept me in that role,” he added. “I’ll still have to draw boundaries so they don’t run off the road, but the role of disciplinarian is not mine.”
“I’ve really learned what it means to be a servant leader in the last two years,” Foster said, explaining that will help him to reconnect with students, staff and parents.
“I always want people to feel they’ve been heard,” Foster added. “I want to be available. We’re here to serve the community and families. We’re not always going to give the popular answer, but we’re always going to listen.”
His goal for the High School is to continue moving forward, maintaining the high standards the district is known for both on a local and national level, having been named one of Newsweek America’s Best High Schools for two years running.
Foster is someone who can continue the vision at the High School, added Brandstetter.
“The stability that Dan will bring us with the same goals and direction we had before is an asset. He’s a hard worker who will bring his own skills to add to that.”
Foster also will be focusing on providing teachers with the tools they need to take education to the next level, especially with the implementation of Common Core Standards that Wisconsin and 44 other states have adopted in recent years.
“The Common Core Standards are more rigorous,” Foster said. “But I think our staff will be surprised they’re already doing a lot of that.”
Coming home
For Foster, who lives in Wales with his wife, Michelle, and children, Julia, 10, and Trevor, 12, taking the new position at Waterford is like coming home – and not just for himself.
“My kids missed this a lot,” he explained. “This ls a place they grew up in. They would come with me to the concerts and homecoming and other events. They really loved that.”
Foster said his wife also supports his decision to return “100 percent” and told him this was the right thing to do.
Foster said the reception from the community has been incredible since he’s been back, and that support and encouragement is very much appreciated.
“I’m shocked and so flattered,” he said. “I’ve had people just stopping by to give me a hug and say ‘Welcome back!’”
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