Fun-loving principal retires
After 35 years of celebrating students’ achievements, Rik Ihssen is moving on
Rik Ihssen wasn’t your typical elementary school principal.
He skydived, bungee jumped, dressed up like Elvis Presley for Halloween, played trumpet at Christmas concerts, and wore a royal crown for student parades. He even served as the school’s “ISTEP Lady” to teach young students how to prepare for their big test. Ihssen was so convincing that students at Washington Township Elementary School adamantly disagreed whether or not it was indeed him underneath that wig, dress and makeup.
“If you asked most kids what they’d say about him as a principal, their response most certainly would be that he’s funny and he is kind,” said Lori Thomas, a first grade teacher at the school. “Everything he did was always kid-centered and filled with fun.”
She would know. Thomas worked with Ihssen since 1987. She was his first formal hire.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time under his leadership. Rik Ihssen is as unique as the spelling of his name,” she said. “He is a strong Christian leader who worked hard his entire career to establish a home away from home and family environment for his students, parents and teachers.”
Ihssen retired after 35 years at the rural Valparaiso school, including a 43-year education career. He started at Washington Township in 1985 as a part-time principal and teacher for the first four years.
“I was scared to death,” Ihssen recalled. “I was just 29, which is pretty young for a principal, and most teachers were older than me. I wondered who would listen to this kid fresh out of college.”
Ihssen graduated from Valparaiso University, then attended Purdue University North Central to earn his master’s degree after eight years of effort.
Since the late 1980s, Ihssen and his staff created more than 30 creative and colorful
extracurricular activities for young students. Among others, a popular overnight (yes, overnight) reading program, getaway ski trips, annual fun fairs, father-son programs, and Christmas luncheons.
For this upcoming school year, only a handful of those activities will take place at the school due to COVID-19 restrictions, regulations and guidelines.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” Ihssen said. “I guess I picked a good time to go. I would be so frustrated throughout this upcoming school year.”
Ihssen (pronounced I-son), who turns 65 this year, actually made the decision to retire a year ago.
“I was on the path to exhaustion,” he said.
His path has touched thousands of students, teachers and parents, as well as young children of former elementary school students.
“That’s when I began realizing I was getting old,” Ihssen said with a chuckle.
He somehow kept the discipline reports for all of his former students, including many of his “more challenging” kids.
“We thought they’d end up in jail or something, but they turned out fine,” he joked.
Janet Wade, the school’s music teacher for 29 years, said Ihssen’s sense of humor struck the perfect chord with young children. His chorus was the same each school year: “Do what’s best for the students.”
“He lived that statement and instilled that goal into every teacher who has ever worked at our school,” she said. “His sense of humor, passion for creating the best education for all students, and leadership will be missed.”
Former kindergarten teacher Pam Petersohn described Ihssen as instrumental in making that school a “happy place” for everyone who entered. “Not only for me but for all of the teachers,” she said.
One of Ihssen’s former students, Morgan Galloway
Daly, who’s now 28, said Ihssen’s knack for developing meaningful relationships with young, impressionable students felt as genuine as his smile.
“Even to a third grader,” Daly said. “He reached out to parents, created an incredible sense of safety and supported academics in the same way he supported sports.”
During the end of the last school year, Ihssen felt as if he was a celebrity on a farewell tour. He soaked up every final performance as a principal. His finest moments included silly but promised stunts to celebrate students’ achievements, such as bungee jumping to face his fear of heights, reading a book from the school’s rooftop, and dressing up as colorful characters to make learning fun.
“I will miss him more than words can say,” Thomas said.
Words will have to do on Sunday afternoon when his former colleagues and loved ones celebrate his retirement at Kirchhoff Park in Valparaiso, an outdoor location that allows for social distancing.
A Facebook page also was created as a farewell gesture, allowing staff, students and parents an opportunity to thank him.
“Thank you for faithfully investing in the lives of children in your charge, myself included,” one former student wrote. “Whether it was convocations or special events, I always think of you as the best kind of principal, one who cared deeply about the lives and education of those within your influence.”
“He is a true hero for kids,” a colleague wrote. “You have made me a better principal.”
I asked Ihssen what he will miss most when the new school year begins.
“Education is a people business, so I’ll miss the people I shared my career with,” he replied. “But I won’t miss some of the dramas that come with being a principal. And I certainly won’t miss dealing with COVID-19 as an administrator. It was the pits.”