School Administrative Manager Makes Major Impact at Cardinal
posted January 13, 2021
Our school administrative manager (SAM) initiative began at Cardinal in 2016 when Jamie Pedersen was hired. As our school administrative manager, Mrs. Pedersen assists our elementary principal, Heather Buckley, each day to help her meet her instructional goals.
In the last four years, Mrs. Pedersen has increased Mrs. Buckley’s instructional time by more than 25 percent. This time is vital for Mrs. Buckley to work with our teachers and continuously improve our teaching methods and grow student achievement.
“With Mrs. Pedersen’s support, I am able to better focus and engage in the instruction happening within our building and our students’ academic needs,” Mrs. Buckley says.
Another part of assisting Mrs. Buckley with time management is the SAM’s role in supporting the elementary behavior program. By managing student discipline, Mrs. Pedersen frees up even more time for Mrs. Buckley — time she can spend in classroom walkthroughs and observations.
To support students before disciplinary actions have to be taken, Mrs. Pedersen connects with the students through methods like Check In, Check Out. With this daily check-in procedure, Mrs. Pedersen celebrates a student’s positive behaviors and provides daily feedback on their behavioral goals and progress. She builds strong relationships with both students and their parents to foster better communication and trust.
and Mrs. Pedersen, SAM
Since our SAM initiative began, student office referrals for behavioral support have dropped more than 66 percent thanks to Mrs. Pedersen’s methods and hard work.
“Her care, daily check-ins, and encouragement with kids have provided our students with an additional caring adult that supports them in their schooling,” Mrs. Buckley says.
In addition to these achievements, Cardinal Elementary earned a high performing school title for the past two years on the Iowa School Report Card.
“The SAM program has a laser-like focus on helping raise student achievement and supporting teachers by limiting disruptions in the classroom,” says Superintendent Joel Pedersen. “The data is clear that the program is working.”
Administrative staff members aren’t the only ones singing the program praises. Teachers have benefited from increased time with their principal and less time spent writing referrals or disciplining behavior issues.
"Mrs. Pedersen is such an asset to Cardinal Elementary,” Kayeliegh Rook, elementary teacher, says. “Her work and dedication as well as her caring heart to students and staff is unmatched. Her door is always open and her candy jar is always full!"
