On Wednesday, March 19, the New Lebanon Central School District Board of Education approved the appointment of Andrew Kourt to the position of Walter B. Howard Elementary School Principal, effective June 1, 2014. As part of the district’s Succession Plan, Kourt will work with current Principal Leslie Whitcomb though June before she transitions to the role of Superintendent of Schools on July 1. Superintendent Karen McGraw and Whitcomb have been working together throughout the school year and will continue to do so through July until Ms. McGraw retires on July 31, 2014.
“I am excited and honored to join the Walter B. Howard team and the New Lebanon community. It is my goal to collaboratively work with the community to ensure that every child has the very best educational experience and that our children can always find a love for learning,” Kourt said. “I am eager to motivate each child to be their very best, support teachers and staff so they can engage and challenge students, and communicate with family members so that they can stay involved in their child’s education.”
He added, “Together we will work hard to make Walter B. Howard Elementary School the very best! I look forward to meeting, listening, and building relationships with all members of our school community to ensure we build a common vision for our school. I can’t wait to get started!”
Kourt was one of seven candidates selected from the pool of applicants who were interviewed by a panel of teachers and parents followed by New Lebanon Jr./Sr. High School Principal Matthew Klafehn and Assistant Principal Rick Arket. Three candidates were then selected for the next round of interviews with McGraw, Whitcomb and Michael Los, the business manager. Two finalists were selected to interview with the Board of Education. Kourt immerged as the successful candidate.
Kourt will come to New Lebanon from the Bethlehem Central School District where he’s been a fifth grade teacher at Glenmont Elementary School since 2004. Prior to that, he served as a special education teacher at the school for a year. Since 2003, Kourt has also been a self-contained special education teacher for the district’s extended school program.
Since July 2012, Kourt has served as an administrative intern for the district. Among the work he’s performed in this role include developing ELA curriculum and district maps and providing professional development related to the Common Core Standards, observing teachers according to the APPR requirements, designing and co-writing district elementary report cards according to the Common Core Standards, coordinating a school-wide leadership theme and creating a school-wide master schedule. Kourt serves as a teacher mentor and member of several school and district committees. He has coordinated numerous programs and activities at Glenmont Elementary, including a Read-a-Thon to raise money for the school playground, Student Government, safety patrol and school-wide student book groups.
Kourt’s additional experience includes work as an educational literacy consultant. He has worked with the Hudson Falls Central School District, Capital Area School Development Association and the Bethlehem Central School District.
Kourt has a master’s degree in reading and literacy from SUNY Albany, a bachelor’s degree in special and elementary education from the College of St. Rose and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration and Leadership, also from St. Rose. He has his permanent New York state certification in elementary education and special education and an initial certification in school building leadership.
Kourt resides in Glenmont with his wife, Beth, daughter, Ava, and son, Eli.