INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Incline Middle School’s seasoned principal shared the top job on Thursday with a NV Energy executive as part of “Principal for a Day” program sponsored by the Education Alliance of Washoe County.

“I got to experience the life of a principal in a small school,” said Craig Rosen, NV Energy Senior Project Manager Education and Outreach. “I got to really see his interaction with teachers, faculty and students. He high fives every student, and he know them by name. You can tell he truly cares about his students.”

Rosen spent the morning with Principal Dan Lediard to experience what it is like to be a principal or administrator in the Washoe County School District, and learn about the more than 60,000 students these schools serve.

Incline Middle School has 119 students:

• 24 in 6^th grade
• 43 in 7^th grade
• 52 in 8^th grade

There are 31 teachers and staff.

This event allows the “prinicpals for a day” to see first-hand what education looks and feels like in Washoe County. It also gives community members an opportunity to share ideas and form relationships with educators.

“Dan was running up and down the building, and never sitting in his office,” Rosen said.

At one point, Rosen asked, “Is it like this every day?”

Lediard replied, “Yes it is, with a smile. He got a taste of the fast pace and hectic schedule that principals keep.”

This is what their schedule entailed.

Lediard and Rosen did two teacher observations with permission from the educators.

Every year, the state requires the schools to have one formal evaluation for every teacher. The evaluation turns into the instructor’s end of year evaluation.

Rosen got a tour of the 55,880-square-foot Incline Middle School that sits on 6 acres at 931 Southwood Boulevard.

Lediard introduced Rosen to the front office staff, the head custodian and a bus driver. Then Rosen learned about what their positions entail.

He also saw what happens when lunch is moved indoors and when an early dismissal is necessary due to an impending snow storm. That day school ended early. They had to alert parents and change the time the bus headed out to drop students off.

In addition, the principals went to several classrooms including the art room. There Rosen got to see the “trash to treasure” project.

In October, Lediard and Incline Middle students, teachers and community members picked up 500 pounds of trash in Incline. They brought it back to school, sorted it and stored it to use for art materials.

“Craig got to see treasure projects that are still being made turning trash into art,” Lediard said. “He was excited. He thought it was really neat.”

They made stops at the podcast classroom, which is kind of like a radio station with state-of-the-art microphones, speakers and soundboards.

Then they headed to the robotics lab and its Lego robotics table funded by a grant from Tesla in 2022. Rosen saw more advanced robotics Makeblock, viewed 3D printers, and 3D art projects.

“We discussed implementation in robotics in conjunction with STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) projects,” Lediard said. “After that, we discussed what our middle school needs in relation to community support from the local business community in order to become a certified STEM school.”

Lediard and Rosen talked about how NV Energy can help Incline Middle School.

“NV Energy has been helping out the education system for decades,” Rosen said. “We have STEM programs we offer through the Desert Research Institute.”

Programs include:

• Providing STEM kits that teach kids how energy is utilized and how to conserve energy
• Providing professional development for teachers to learn about reliable, renewable and affordable energy
• Providing guest STEM speakers

In addition, NV Energy has an energy conservation theater program for elementary school students.

“NV Energy is committed to education and committed to improving and supporting our education system throughout the state,” Rosen said.

After his time at school, Rosen offered advice to parents.

“The magic that happens in the classroom doesn’t always get home to the parents,” Rosen said. “There’s really good learning and education happening daily. The teachers are so committed to making their students enjoy the subjects and connecting it to real-world activities and life.”

Rosen also gave Lediard feedback in the school’s process to become a certified STEM school. The STEM walk through committee was on campus when it shut down due to the impending snow storm. Tentative dates for the committee to return are March 7 and 12.

“Make sure the STEM committee knows that Incline Middle is a STEM school not just STEM classes,” Lediard said of Rosen’s advice. “The whole school encompasses STEM programs, it’s not just one class.”