Dolezal takes helm of KVCS

Former teacher, Ruthanne Dolezal, was hired on July 17 as the new Kootenai Valley Christian School administrator. 

After teaching at the Christian school for four years, Dolezal applied for the job when the former administrator stepped down. She lightly considered applying for the position at first, but suggestions from several coworkers lead to her final decision. 

“First of all, before there was even a vacancy for this position, one of the board members told me they saw administrative qualities,” Dolezal said. “Several people suggested that I apply when the position opened up. There seemed to be a consensus that it would be a good fit.” 

Dolezal grew up in Libby, where she attended Kootenai Valley Christian School as a child. Before returning to the school to teach, she received a teaching degree in interdisciplinary studies from Western Governor’s University to teach kindergarten through eighth grade. She gained cross-cultural teaching experience while spending several years educating students in South Africa, Colorado and Georgia. 

Music education is something that Dolezal is passionate about and she plans on continuing her involvement with the music program by teaching the first-through-third-grade singing class and working with the student chapel band. 

Dolezal believes teaching at the school for four years has given her the advantage of close relationships and comfort in her new position. 

“I feel like I have a close bond with a lot of the students, they know who I am and they are comfortable with me,” Dolezal said. “The relationship I have with the staff allows me to have understanding of what their needs are and how I can perhaps meet some of those needs.”

Dolezal said she anticipates her biggest challenge as the new administrator will be learning new things. 

“It’s a learning curve for me because I have not officially been in an administration position before,” Dolezal said. “But as an educator, I think I have a good angle on what’s needed for the administration.”

One of Dolezal’s coworkers, Kathy Carper, has worked at Kootenai Valley Christian School for the past four years as a preschool and prekindergarten teacher. 

“Ruth is a very organized and very Godly woman,” Carper said. “She is just so good with the kids, and I appreciate all of her support. Even though she was a teacher last year, she supported all of the staff at one time or another when we were struggling in one way or another.”

Dolezal’s secretary, Chelsea Sanderson, said she is excited about all of the positive changes happening within the school.

“Ruthanne was my daughter’s first-grade teacher last year, so I have had the experience of her as a teacher for one of my children,” Sanderson said. “She was just great. She is very organized and relates well with the kids. I’m excited to see what this new adventure leads to.”

Some of Dolezal’s plans for improvement include: welcoming creative fundraising suggested by parents, possibly introducing new subjects to the curriculum and applying for a grant to update the playground.