Football. Baseball. Algebra I. Geometry. Coach.
Steven Valkenaar’s past career include all these subjects, now he adds assistant principal to the list.
“This is my first rodeo as assistant principal,” Valkenaar said. “I am looking forward to getting to know students, teachers and staff and helping in any way possible.”
Last fall Valkenaar was the department chair and instructional coach, and taught Algebra I and geometry at Diamond Hill in Fort Worth ISD.
“Before there I worked for Keller ISD,” Valkenaar said. “I served as Algebra I lead, exit level TAKS teacher and coached baseball.”
Prior to Keller is when he started his career at Bellville ISD as an Algebra I teacher, football and baseball coach. He has taught in a classroom setting until this job, creating a different environment for him to see students.
“This position is definitely not in a classroom, so now I have to find time to interact with students,” he said.
Before starting his career, he graduated in 2002 from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, TX, involved in powerlifting, football, FCA and NHS. He then attended A&M Commerce, TCC for a year, and finally graduated in 2007 from the University of Texas in Arlington with a degree in exercise science.
“I graduated May 14, 2007 from UTA and my wife had our first baby, Faith, on May 15, 2007,” Valkenaar said.
After his first baby, he fell in love with kids. He and his wife started to teach Sunday school and worked with kids. He also loves math and that’s where it all started.
“One year later I earned my masters degree in Education Administration from Lamar University in 2010,” he said.
He lives in Haslet, TX, and traveled through Decatur time to time to fish with friends at Lake Bridgeport.
“I was recently searching online for assistant principal positions and saw that DHS had an opening and thought that would be awesome,” he said.
At home his wife, Britini Valkenaar, of six years and two daughters, Grace, 2, and Faith, 4.
“I love spending time with my family,” Valkenaar said. “We like to go on walks, bike rides, anything outdoors.”
Not only does Valkenaar take care of family at home, the school also welcomes him to the family here.
“He is a great fit for our campus,” principal Jason Cochran said. “We are proud to have him a part of our team and we feel he is going to fit our family here at DHS.”
During his first week on the job, Valkenaar stands at the front of the school each morning welcoming students.
“The culture of the students are very positive, very much like family,” Valkenaar said. “Everyone is helpful, polite, respectful and has a welcoming attitude with open arms.”
Starting this job in the middle of the year, Valkenaar listens and takes tips from all administration.
“Mrs. Bauter and Mrs. McCollum are two smart, strong administrators with individual strengths,” Cochran said. “We needed to find someone who compliments their strengths and has the personality to learn from them, as well as myself. And Mr. Valkenaar is coming with fresh views, he’s coming to be trainable and with an open mind.”
Valkenaar describes his new job of assistant principal as creative.
“You have to come up with new ideas, handle difficult situations and decisions; you need to be open to try different things and you just have to be willing to be creative,” he said.
Learning the skills he needs to be an assistant principal and fitting his career change takes time. Valkenaar looks forward to working with all the students and staff.
“I’m a people-person and I like to get to know individuals for who they are,” Valkenaar said. “Feel free to stop in or if you see me in the hall, introduce yourself.”
Q & A: Steven Valkenaar, new assistant principal
What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to work out, run, mountain bike; anything outside I’m game for. I also love watching the Olympics.”
What are your favorite sports teams?
“Football- Cowboys and Bears; baseball- Rangers.”
What is your favorite song?
“’All I need’ by Shawn McDonald. I also like Michael Bublé, David Crowder, Skillet, Jeremy Camp, country, pretty much all music.”
What is your favorite quote?
“’It is what it is’ because we don’t always like what we hear but we have to roll with it.”
What are some interesting hobbies and/or habits about you?
“I use to collect sports cards. I like to run in the dark. I sleep with my contacts in and I talk to myself. Something people don’t know is when I went to Commerce I was a co-ed cheerleader.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
“I would love to play the guitar and be musical.”
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
“I would pay off all our debt, then help as many people as I could.”
What was your childhood like?
“I was born in Chicago, then we moved to Arlington for six months. After that we moved to Hurst because of sports. Everything was focused on football.”
How would you describe yourself in three words and why?
“Energetic, because I like to keep going; I can’t keep still. Loving, because I love my family and kids; I’m loving the new job and life. Outgoing, because I’d rather help someone else before myself.”