He looks like he could be a middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, but the new TK-12 principal of Alberton School District chose the profession of education instead, and he is thrilled to be in his new administrative position.

Chris Whiteman grew up just outside Sacramento, California and graduated from Fresno State. He started his teaching career in a high school marching band, piano and orchestra instructor and choir director in Stockton for a couple of years where his met his wife, who was also a teacher.

“We taught at a school that had 2,400 students in it with 37 recognized gangs by the Stockton Police Department. It was super rewarding as a place to cut my teeth as those kids were just super resilient and I loved what I did, but I couldn’t see myself not burning out.”

Darby, Montana is where the Whiteman family landed.

“I had a blast. I loved it there. It was exactly what we were looking for with a cool school community and a great family place to live,” he shares.

After a couple of years, a move north put him into the Missoula County Public School system for the next 12 years teaching, coaching basketball and track, the pep band at Big Sky High School and his last year as the vice principle at Meadow Hill Middle School.

“We fell in love with the town and especially the music and arts community which is fantastic. But when the chance to be out here in Alberton in administration popped up, I just couldn’t say no.”

Whiteman entered the picture in June and has been working on schedules, discipline, a behavior matrix and universals such as Safe, Respectable and Responsible that every student will follow. The teachers and parents will know how these fit into the students’ lives to help reinforce them as a show of continuity between home and school.

Whiteman explains the basics.

“This is an interactive concept as we ask students, ‘What do you think responsible looks like? What do you think of when you hear of a safe environment?’ etc. because this changes with age differences and family situations. Breaking these down to their simplest form, getting together, defining some expectations and roles and then build up from that point.”

This component is a part of the overall accountability plan of that he has in mind.

“Before we can cast a vision for the future, I feel we need to start on square one with what are we looking for? What is important to us. What are the values that are important to the school and community and how do we best serve our students and families.”

As the 2022-2023 school year began, every single position for the Alberton School is fully staffed, with the exception of a part-time custodian. He feels that says that people who work there, want to be there and he can understand why with the organization of what he calls “This Awesome Machine.”

Enrollment is in the 160s, which is a comfortable increase over last year.

“We have kids coming back from home schooling. We have kids coming back from other school districts. This is all great!”

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) started last year, which was Jeff Crew’s first year as the Alberton School Superintendent, and this year they have a designated teacher for that position. Jess Maurer taught at Alberton and returns after time in the MCPS and being at Head Start.

“On Day 1, she had those kids on verbal commands and hand signs. These are kids that have never been in school before!” he beams. “She had the sign out sheets going and checking ID’s and, well, I haven’t seen a safer environment for little guys in a school. She can focus on the needs the curriculum and lovin’ on those kids and getting them excited about school.”

The coaching-part of him is excited about the future, too.

“We are so lucky to have sports back, just for Alberton. And the other schools (Superior and St. Regis) must feel the same. I think the co-ops were great and it kept the 3 schools’ activities alive especially through the pandemic.”

If enthusiasm, confidence and passion could be harnessed, it would be sitting behind the desk of the principal’s office at Alberton School. “Go Panthers!”