“I am excited to be able to add additional staff and services that make a positive impact on our students’ mental health and provide support to all of our families,” Principal Ann Giardino expressed. At the start of the new 2023-24 school year, Oak-Land Middle School received a new principal. Administration brought in Giardino to help fill the position for the year.
Giardino has worked in Stillwater for the past three years and started as a Special Education Supervisor then as an Assistant Principal for Stillwater Middle School and now as a Principal at OMS. Giardino has already made many big impacts with students, staff and parents with her upbeat personality and positive outlook counselor Mary Adamle explained.
Giardino began her year at Stillwater Area High School in Grey Pony Center as an Assistant Principal. She was interviewed with many other candidates then narrowed down and chosen by Principal Robert Bach and Superintendent Dr. Michael Funk,Secretary Shelly Enhelder said. Giardino worked in Grey Pony Center for about a month before being chosen for Principal at OMS. Giardino did not work in the Grey Pony Center for very long, but Enhelder had no doubt she would have had a significant impact in many areas at the high school.
Traveling around the world to teach was such a beautiful opportunity that Giardino had the opportunity to do. She taught in many states including Arizona, New Mexico and Massachusetts, as well as many places around the world.
“I worked for 11 years at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and was able to spend time in many beautiful wild places. I have a special love for the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic mountains and rivers and consider myself so lucky to have had such wilderness as my classroom,” Giardino said.
Giardino attended the University of St. Thomas for her undergraduate degree majoring in political science and Arizona State University for her Master’s in Educational Leadership. She decided to become an educational leader because of her love for the work.
“I love being in the business of empowerment! I worked for many years as a teacher and became interested in problem solving at a systems level. It is dynamic, humbling and a constant adventure,” Giardino said.
As someone who has experience in special education, Giardino had a great foundation to her new role. “It doesn’t take Giardino long at all to integrate into a staff and to make a positive impact. She has a depth of knowledge and experience in areas such as special education and leadership. These are invaluable in her role as our principal,” Adamle said.
Her experience in special education is something not many principals have. With her experience in many different areas of teaching, OMS will have many new and better opportunities with her as principal.
Giardino will remain Oak-land’s principal for the 23-24 school year then she must reapply because of her late start 2 weeks into the school year. So far, she has strived to make measurable impacts for the students, staff and parents at OMS. The school also received a new student services grant and Giardino is extremely excited to use it to help staff and students. Staff throughout the school district love Giardino and look forward to seeing her grow throughout the school year.
