Mike Blake

In addition to the discussion on enrollment growth, Waukee Middle School Assistant Principal Mike Blake gave a presentation on the middle school philosophy of using teams of teachers to work together with a group of students. Blake said this allow students to be in smaller groups so as to provides a smaller school feel in the building.

Mike Blake, Brad Buck and Juley Murphy-Tiernan, the administrators for Prairieview and Waukee Middle School.
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Mike Blake and Juley Murphy-Tiernan will be taking over the duties as assistant principals at Waukee Middle School and Prairieview, respectively.
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"There's still a lot to do," Blake said.
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Mike Blake, the assistant principal at Waukee Middle School, has served as a dean at the school for the last few years.He has been with the school district for 28 years."I remember when I first came here, I viewed Waukee as a farm community," Blake said."The growth has just been unbelievable."Blake turned down other offers of administrative positions because he wanted to remain in the Waukee district."I look forward to this opportunity," Blake said "It's an opportunity to live a dream."Like Murphy-Tiernan, Blake also said he viewed the impact administrators were able to have for large numbers of students and sought to pursue such a position. Blake credited the district administration for its forward thinking in terms of growth. "Even with all the challenges, it has not been as difficult as it would have been," Blake said.

"That's not always been the case," said Middle School Dean Mike Blake.

Mike Blake, who began his teaching career in Waukee's schools nearly 31 years ago, is the new principal at Waukee Middle School.

>Longtime teacher Blake loves new job at middle school

Along with being teacher, he also is longtime coach
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After two years of being an assistant principal at the school, Mike Blake has been named principal.

In July, Blake officially began his new position at the school, 905 Warrior Lane, overseeing 55 teachers.About 700 sixth- and seventh-grade students refer to him as Principal Blake.

Blake replaces Brad Buck, who is now the assistant superintendent of Waukee schools.
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Blake, 53, is not new to the world of education.Nor is he new to Waukee.

Nearly 31 years ago, Blake began teaching language arts in the building that now houses the Waukee Elementary School, 400 Locust St. He was a teacher for 22 years.He's also served as a dean of students in Waukee schools for six years.

As for what type of a principal Blake is, seventh-grader Carly Oosten, 12, of Waukee, said Blake was enthusiastic.As for what type of a principal Blake is, seventh-grader Carly Oosten, 12, of Waukee, said Blake was enthusiastic.
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Blake, who grew up in Oskaloosa, said he began his career in Waukee because it was a smaller district and he thought it would be a stepping stone to a larger district.At that time, Blake said, the district had about 900 to 1,000 students.

"When Waukee and I chose each other, I wanted to come to central Iowa because it was a good area to meet people," he said."But when I was driving in for an interview and seeing the grain elevators, I said I wouldn't be here for more than five years."

He met his wife, Sharman, within his first few years in Waukee.Sharman was a special education teacher in Waukee at the time.She now teaches in West Des Moines.

Blake said after he and his wife started a family, there was no reason to leave Waukee.

After his third year in the classroom, Blake quit teaching for about 15 months, unsure if being an educator was what he wanted to do in life.He worked for Lazy Ike Co., but soon discovered teaching was his purpose in life, a way to make a difference.

"During that time I realized I was an educator, I was not a production manager," Blake said.

Waukee schools hired him again.

During Blake's long career with the district, he's been more than a teacher.He's served as a coach for 23 years for nearly every sport, including football, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball.He also drove a school bus in the district for 12 years.

In early September, Blake said his first few school days as principal were going smoothly.

"I couldn't wait for the day to be here," he said.

Mike Blake, who began working in the Waukee school district nearly 31 years ago, is the new principal at the Waukee Middle School this year.

>Blake excited to be principal at Waukee Middle School
...
After two years of being an assistant principal at the school, Mike Blake has been named principal.

In July, Blake officially began his new position at the school, 905 Warrior Lane, overseeing 55 teachers.About 700 sixth- and seventh-grade students refer to him as Principal Blake.

Blake replaces Brad Buck, who is now the assistant superintendent of Waukee schools.
...
Blake, 53, is not new to the world of education.Nor, is he new to Waukee.

Nearly 31 years ago, Blake began teaching language arts in the building that now houses the Waukee Elementary School, 400 Locust St. He was a teacher for 22 years.He's also served as a dean of students in Waukee schools for six years.

As for what type of a principal Blake is, seventh-grader Carly Oosten, 12, of Waukee, said Blake was enthusiastic.As for what type of a principal Blake is, seventh-grader Carly Oosten, 12, of Waukee, said Blake was enthusiastic.
...
Blake, who grew up in Oskaloosa, said he began his career in Waukee because it was a smaller district and he thought it would be a stepping stone to a larger district.At that time, Blake said, the district had about 900 to 1,00 students.

"When Waukee and I chose each other, I wanted to come to central Iowa because it was a good area to meet people," he said."But when I was driving in for an interview and seeing the grain elevators, I said wouldn't be here for more than five years."

He met his wife, Sharman, within his first few years in Waukee.Sharman was a special education teacher in Waukee at the time.She now teaches in West Des Moines.

Blake said after he and his wife started a family, there was no reason to leave Waukee

After his third year in the classroom, Blake quit teaching for about 15 months, unsure if being an educator was what he wanted to do in life.He worked for Lazy Ike Co., but soon discovered teaching was his purpose in life, a way to make a difference.

"During that time I realized I was an educator, I was not a production manager," Blake said.

Waukee schools hired him again.

During Blake's long career with the district, he's been more than a teacher.He's served as a coach for 23 years for nearly every sport, including football, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball.He also drove a school bus in the district for 12 years.

Last week, Blake said his first few school days as principal were going smoothly.

"I couldn't wait for the day to be here," he said.

Mike Blake, who began his teaching career in Waukee's schools nearly 31 years ago, is the new principal at Waukee Middle School.

>Longtime teacher Blake loves new job at middle school

Along with being teacher, he also is longtime coach
...
After two years of being an assistant principal at the school, Mike Blake has been named principal.

In July, Blake officially began his new position at the school, 905 Warrior Lane, overseeing 55 teachers.About 700 sixth- and seventh-grade students refer to him as Principal Blake.

Blake replaces Brad Buck, who is now the assistant superintendent of Waukee schools.
...
Blake, 53, is not new to the world of education.Nor is he new to Waukee.

Nearly 31 years ago, Blake began teaching language arts in the building that now houses the Waukee Elementary School, 400 Locust St. He was a teacher for 22 years.He's also served as a dean of students in Waukee schools for six years.

As for what type of a principal Blake is, seventh-grader Carly Oosten, 12, of Waukee, said Blake was enthusiastic.As for what type of a principal Blake is, seventh-grader Carly Oosten, 12, of Waukee, said Blake was enthusiastic.
...
Blake, who grew up in Oskaloosa, said he began his career in Waukee because it was a smaller district and he thought it would be a stepping stone to a larger district.At that time, Blake said, the district had about 900 to 1,000 students.

"When Waukee and I chose each other, I wanted to come to central Iowa because it was a good area to meet people," he said."But when I was driving in for an interview and seeing the grain elevators, I said I wouldn't be here for more than five years."

He met his wife, Sharman, within his first few years in Waukee.Sharman was a special education teacher in Waukee at the time.She now teaches in West Des Moines.

Blake said after he and his wife started a family, there was no reason to leave Waukee.

After his third year in the classroom, Blake quit teaching for about 15 months, unsure if being an educator was what he wanted to do in life.He worked for Lazy Ike Co., but soon discovered teaching was his purpose in life, a way to make a difference.

"During that time I realized I was an educator, I was not a production manager," Blake said.

Waukee schools hired him again.

During Blake's long career with the district, he's been more than a teacher.He's served as a coach for 23 years for nearly every sport, including football, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball.He also drove a school bus in the district for 12 years.

In early September, Blake said his first few school days as principal were going smoothly.

"I couldn't wait for the day to be here," he said.

Mike Blake, assistant principal of Waukee Middle School, said the system is helpful because students are able to receive new schedules immediately if a change is made.