New superintendent takes reins in St. Ignatius
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ST. IGNATIUS — On a peaceful summer morning in St. Ignatius, the school grounds are largely deserted. No students roam the halls; no bells signal the start of classes. Only a few staff members are at their desks, but the peaceful atmosphere does anything but quiet Bob Lewandowski’s enthusiasm for his new job: superintendent of St. Ignatius School District 28.
In fact, when asked what he does for fun, Lewandowski replied with a smile, “I’m doing it.
“I really enjoy having the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.”
A long-time educator, Lewandowski taught English in his home state of Nebraska for seven years and then served as principal of a parochial school for a few more before moving to Cody, Wyo.
After several years as principal of Cody High School, watching over about 2,500 students, Lewandowski made a short move south to Meeteetse, Wyo., where he worked as superintendent for seven years until coming to St. Ignatius.
“I moved here for my children,” he explained. “I think this is a better place for them.”
He felt divine confirmation that he’d made the right decision when he first visited the St. Ignatius Mission Church, Lewandowski said.
“I was so taken aback (by the building’s beauty) … I went in, got on my knees and lit a candle.”
And getting to know the Mission Valley and its people has made Lewandowski and his family even more confident that St. Ignatius is the place for them. He and wife Deborah and daughters Trinity, 11, and Stephanie, 15, love waking up to look out their windows and see the Mission Mountains towering over their home just west of town.
“My family and I have just fallen in love with the people and with Montana, this part in particular,” Lewandowski said. “Everything worked out; it fell into place, and I’m here.”
Deborah, an elementary school teacher for 21 years, isn’t planning on working this year, but Trinity and Stephanie are looking forward to becoming Mission Bulldogs.
“I want my children to go to the school where I work,” Lewandowski said, noting that he believes strongly in the quality of education they’ll have in Mission.
He also believes that St. Ignatius Schools have great potential, and said he’s looking forward to leading the district to new heights. Of course, there are always challenges and changes to be made, he added.
“What this district needs, and every district, is continuity in their leadership,” Lewandowski explained. “They need someone who’s gonna stay (as superintendent), and I’m gonna try to provide that.”
Lewandowski said his philosophy of education is based on a personal approach: “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care,” he said.
One way Lewandowski likes to connect with the community is through his superintendent’s blog, where he discusses a variety of topics linking local issues to learning.
“Once I get in the groove, I’ll try to blog every other day at least,” he said.
His blog can be found at stignatiusschools.blogspot.com or via the school’s website at stignatiusschools.org.
