New MCS admin embraces dual role

Principal, or administrator?

"I answer to both," Gary Cookson said with a smile, regarding his dual title of administrator and principal at Mitchell Christian School.

Having the positions combined is new for Mitchell Christian, but not for Cookson.

"I said, 'That's what I'm doing now,' " Cookson said when he was interviewed for the job. "That's what I'm used to."

Hired in the spring after Mitchell Christian's administrator and principal both left their positions to move out of town, Cookson moved from Harrison to Mitchell and started his new role as the administrator/principal at MCS on July 1.

He most recently worked at Dakota Christian School, in Corsica, where he was principal and taught a Bible class. Cookson said he was interested in moving to a larger school, and respected Mitchell Christian's "long history of quality, Christian education."

"It seemed like a good challenge for me," he said.

As principal, Cookson is responsible for discipline. As administrator, he provides overall leadership to keep Mitchell Christian on track with its mission statement, which, according to the school's website, is to "join with family and the church to disciple and educate students on the Biblical foundations, and to assist them in refining a personal and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ as they grow spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally and physically."

To accomplish that goal, Cookson said he works closely with the school board, development director, staff and faculty. He serves on various committees, meets with the school board and is involved with the behind-the-scenes planning for some of the school's larger events, like its Spiritual Emphasis Week activities, and its annual fundraising auction.

"And if something goes wrong, they tell me," Cookson said with a smile.

And, keeping enrollment up is a top priority. After taking a dip in recent years, Mitchell Christian's enrollment this year is 161 -- 114 in elementary through junior high, and 47 in the high school, which Cookson said is slightly up from last year.

He also makes a concerted effort to get in early and finish as much of his paperwork before school starts, so he can be out and about during the day. He roams the halls when students take breaks, and visits classrooms daily just to say hello and provide support.

"I like the idea of being a servant and a leader," Cookson said of the appeal of administrative roles. "It's great being a principal of a Christian school."

Cookson has 35 years of experience in school administrative positions, and even more as a teacher. He spent three years as a teacher at the start of his career, then worked as a "teaching principal" -- he taught classes along with being a principal -- ever since.

"I've had a lot of teaching experience, but most of my career has been doing both," he said.

Cookson, who described himself as "seasoned" rather than provide his age, said he thinks his years of teaching have provided "just a great background" for his administrative work, because he has experience on both sides of school policies and procedures.

"I think it helps me understand what's happening in the classroom," he said of his teaching experience. "You can put yourself in the teacher's position."

Now, at MCS, he doesn't teach. While he occasionally thinks, "wouldn't that be nice?" when he's in a classroom, Cookson wants to focus on his new position for now.

"Right now I'm very, very satisfied," he said.

A California native who moved to South Dakota from Michigan, Cookson said he enjoys reading, bicycling and traveling. His favorite destination is Austria -- he studied there -- but said there's something about South Dakota that drew him back and kept him here.

He has bachelor's degrees in elementary and secondary education from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, a master's in elementary administration from the University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, and a doctorate in education from Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va.

Originally focused on being a teacher, Cookson said it was early in his career that someone encouraged him to take on a more administrative role. He discovered it was a good fit, and has kept pursuing it ever since.

"I thank the Lord for leading me that way," he said. "I've found great enjoyment and joy."