Columbia Falls Junior High School principal Dave Wick was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). He’ll begin his three-year term as director-at-large for middle-level principals on July 1.

“My goal will be to work with the board and the middle-level principals to always remember that education is about people, to humbly listen to others, to encourage, to share our triumphs and difficulties, and to always remember that the principal’s task is to change lives through education,” Wick said.

Wick earned a bachelor’s degree in English, education and business administration at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. He earned his master’s of educational leadership and supervision at the University of Montana.

He began his education career as an English teacher at Alma High School, in Alma, Wis., and went on to teach at Hope High School in Hope, N.D., and Brainerd High School in Brainerd, Minn.

Wick served as the Curriculum Leadership Program coordinator for the Academy for Curriculum Leadership and Technology at the University of Montana and was assistant principal at Whitefish Middle School.

He’s been principal of Columbia Falls Junior High School for 16 years and director of elementary education for Columbia Falls Schools for the past 15 years.

Wick has been a member of NAESP and the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals (MAEMSP) since 1995. He has served as MAEMSP’s middle school representative since 2010. He was also recognized as a Montana Distinguished Principal in 2011 and a National Distinguished Principal in 2012.