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Members of the Snyder Christian School staff pictured on the front row are (l-r) pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teacher Tiffany Smith, first and second grade teacher Jennifer Haynes and physical education teacher Erica Rocha. On back row are fifth and sixth grade teacher Gale Northcott, third and fourth grade teacher Beverly James and principal Dr. Jim Palmer.
Dr. Jim Palmer, a longtime educator, is the new principal at Snyder Christian School. But he wasn’t sure he wanted to be a school principal.
“I didn’t think that was for me,” Palmer said. “I’m thinking a principal is a disciplinarian. I’m an old grandpa, I wanted to get along with everyone.”
He said former principal Lee Presswood advised him that being the principal wasn’t like that because the parents are the disciplinarians.
Palmer said the more he spoke to the board of directors, the more he warmed up to the idea of being principal.
“I thought God had other plans for me,” Palmer said. “I prayed about it. A lot of people at my church (Colonial Hill Baptist Church) were praying about it.”
Palmer began his education career in 1967. After earning his doctorate, he came to Western Texas College, where he served in numerous areas during the course of 42 years.
He said he has a good feeling about the upcoming school year.
“I’m real interested and excited,” Palmer said.
In addition to in-classroom art instruction and chapel service once a week, the school will provide a daily after-school service for parents who cannot pick up their child until 5 p.m.
Palmer said enrollment is down from the past few years due to the downturn in the economy.
“Several people have been telling me that if they were where they used to be (financially), they would be here,” he said.
Palmer said the price of attending Snyder Christian School is not much more than daycare.
“The price is $500 a month for 10 months unless they want to pay it all at once, then it’s a $200 discount.” Palmer said.
He said families receive a discounted tuition rate for additional students.
The school’s enrollment is currently 33 students and Palmer said they are still accepting applications. He said he would like to have 50 students enrolled and that the school’s highest enrollment was 52.
The five educators who will be teaching at the school are Tiffany Smith, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, Jennifer Haynes, first and second grades, Beverly James, third and fourth grades, Gale Northcottt, fifth and sixth grades, and Erica Rocha, physical education.
Palmer and four of the teachers attended an in-service training at Trinity Church in Lubbock last week. They have held several training meetings to get ready for the students, who begin class on Thursday.
“(Presswood) did a tremendous amount of work,” Palmer said. “We have enough history to know what works and what doesn’t work. I am new here. I’m going to have to learn and we are going to have to adapt.”
Palmer said the main thing he wants people to know is that students can get an exceptional education at Snyder Christian School.
“Students can get a good strong Christian education,” he said. “All students get individualized and personalized attention.”
Orientation will be at 6:30 p.m. today in the First United Methodist Church chapel. A reception and fellowship will follow in Wesley Hall.