Gass excited and anxious to start school year
<span>CHESTER - Chester High School has a new principal to begin the school year in Dr. Sarah Gass and she is excited to begin providing leadership to students, teachers, and staff.</span>
<span>"I am very impressed with the warm welcome I have received so far here in Chester," Gass said. "Everyone has been so welcoming and I have a great team of teachers, staff and administrators to work with."</span>
<span>Gass grew up in the Belleville area and graduated from Belleville East High School. After graduation, Gass went to college at the University of Illinois where she earned a Bachelor's degree in math.</span>
<span>While at U-of-I, she marched with the Marching Illini in addition to pursuing her educational career.</span>
<span>After graduating from U-of-I, Gass continued her educational pursuit at McKendree University - where she earned a Master's of Arts degree in education. She later began a teaching career at O'Fallon High School, where she taught Pre-Algebra, Honors Geometry, and Advanced Algebra.</span>
<span>While at O'Fallon, Gass continued her educational advancement at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where she completed coursework and earned a specialist degree (Ed. S) in education administration.</span>
<span>Her educational pursuits did not stop there, as she returned to McKendree University to complete a doctorate degree in curriculum instruction. </span>
<span>Gass noted that she was a member of the first graduating class at McKendree to receive a doctorate degree in curriculum instruction as McKendree only recently began offering the degree.</span>
<span>Gass and her husband, Christopher, have three children - Nicholas, age 6; Jacob, age 5 and Hailey, age 3.</span>
<span>The family loves to water ski, swim and otherwise spend time in the water. Kinkaid Lake is their favorite destination for their camping and water sports endeavors.</span>
<span>"Our family has a boat and we all love going to the lake to boat, tube, swim, camp and otherwise spend time together," Gass said.</span>
<span>Another rather recent pastime has been running.</span>
<span>"I just recently started running and believe it or not I love it," she said. "I have actually competed in several 5K races and even finished two half-marathons."</span>
<span>Finally, Gass said she also enjoys spending time at school after hours.</span>
<span>"I really enjoy spending time after hours at school events where I can see and visit with students and the community in a non-classroom environment," she said. "You will see me a lot at ball games, social events and other after-hours school functions."</span>
<span>When asked if she had had the time to develop any specific goals and initiatives for CHS in her first weeks in Chester, Gass said she intends to get everyone on the same page.</span>
<span>"I have to establish my role here at CHS, but do not intend to make any drastic changes right away," she said.</span>
<span>Gass added that she plans to continue some things that are already in place, such as the four-year goal plan.</span>
<span>"I see my initial job as helping to make these things better," she said. "My job is to help make everyone better in what they do and to provide the best learning environment possible."</span>
<span>Gass plans to be very visible at CHS, both during and after school hours.</span>
<span>"Please call my office at 618-826-2302 to make an appointment or stop me when you see me at school functions," she said. "I would love to meet as many people as possible."</span>