Principal named for George Elementary

Colleen Frerks is returning to George to raise her children and give back to the town she grew up in.

Frerks is serving as principal and federal programs coordinator at George Elementary School next fall. The position opened after former principal Nik Bergman transferred to serve as principal at Pioneer Elementary School in Quincy.

GEORGE — Colleen Frerks is returning to George to raise her children and give back to the town she grew up in.

Frerks is serving as principal and federal programs coordinator at George Elementary School next fall. The position opened after former principal Nik Bergman transferred to serve as principal at Pioneer Elementary School in Quincy.

The decision to move came easy to Frerks.

“George is home,” she said. “I have two small boys, ages 3 and 6, both excited to move close to Grandpa and Grandma’s farm.”

Frerks attended George Elementary as a child and graduated from Quincy High School. She also student-taught at Quincy Junior High School.

“I’ve always thought that one of the great things about George is teachers can know all the students on a personal level,” she said. “Also, in a small group like that, teachers can really collaborate with each other. Teachers can move up each grade along with their kids if they wish to, which is a great opportunity you can’t find in a large school.”

Frerks received a teaching degree from Central Washington University in 1995, a Masters degree from Gonzaga University in 1998 and earned her principal certification at Eastern Washington University this year. She has been teaching in Spokane for 15 years.

Frerks’ experience includes teaching kindergarten through eighth-grade classes. She taught music at Windsor Elementary School in Cheney last year.

“We found that Colleen appeared to be a good fit for our school and community,” said Burton Dickerson, Quincy School District superintendent. “She has a pleasant personality, a clear love for students and a reputation for working effectively with staff members and parents.”

Frerks has already set goals for next fall.

“One of the first things I want to do is to learn about the great changes already made at the school,” she said. “The people I have met at the school so far are very positive and doing some very progressive things I can’t wait to start working with them on.”

Frerks wants students to participate in more community service projects.

“I want to incorporate a connection to the school and community through community involvement,” she said. “I think it is important to establish that connection because both (the school and community) have a lot to offer each other.”

Frerks said she loves interacting with students.

“It’s fun when you get to see those ‘aha moments,’ when kids really make a breakthrough and start to finally understand a concept,” she said. “It’s so rewarding to watch them realize they can succeed when they work really hard at something.”