New WSSD Superintendent Tyler Telford with his family.
DAYTON, IDAHO—As the students, teacher, administrators, staff and parents adjust to the school year at West Side School District, they have had the opportunity to work with WSSD new Superintendent Tyler Telford, succeeding former Superintendent Spencer Barzee.
Telford was born and raised in Idaho on the family farm that his family still manages today. One of Telford’s talents is being trilingual knowing English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Telford said he realized he enjoyed being in education after spending some time with his brother-in-law who was an educator while Telford was working towards his associates in agricultural business.
“I just fell in love with the idea of being an educator,” Telford said.
He said his favorite part of teaching is watching the moment a lesson “clicks” in a student’s brain.
“To see a student when they realize they understand it when the light turns on, it’s really a great moment,” Telford said.
Telford began his career in the WSSD as a teacher for four years. He would later become the principal at Beutler Middle School for a year before becoming the West Side High School principal for 11 years.
Being principal for 11 years at the high school was one of the many reasons the school board, alongside previous superintendent Barzee, said Telford was their top choice.
“He’s great,” Barzee said. “He’s been around a long time. He’s well trusted. He’s well experienced. He knows members of the community and has high expectation with his academics.”
Barzee said the surrounding 6 districts have had a new high school principal on average about every 3 years.
“Mr. Telford has been in his role as a principal 11 years,” Barzee said. “This kind of longevity and stability is something our community desires in a leader.”
Telford said WSSD is a great district to work in and the majority of the staff in the district stay longer than teachers in the surrounding districts. He said only one teacher was hired in the district this year.
“Actually, West Side is an exception to the rule as far as longevity,” Telford said. “Our staff here is very consistent and usually when they come, they stay.”
Telford said the one of the reasons for this is the support from the community and school board.
“There’s a lot of good community support,” Telford said. “We have an excellent school board and we are very successful both academically and athletically.”
Telford is excited to continue the school year as WSSD Superintendent and wants parents and students to know that the district is working for what is best for the students.
“Our entire staff loves and cares about each student individually,” Telford said.