Travis Wilder became the new superintendent of Corbin Independent on Aug. 1. Photo provided by Travis Wilder
After nearly two decades of serving the Corbin Independent school district, Travis Wilder began his tenure as superintendent on Aug. 1.
Wilder previously served as the principal of Corbin Primary School for 17 years.
鈥淭aking over this new role, I’ve got the opportunity to really pour back into the community that鈥檚 given so much to me,鈥� he said.
Wilder, who has three of his own children enrolled in the school district, has enjoyed showing up for his community by attending sporting and local events and connecting with staff and students.
The shift from principal to superintendent has been eye-opening for Wilder.
鈥淭he superintendency is much different than being a principal,鈥� Wilder admits. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 prepared for how detached you can be, so you have to really make an effort to stay connected with the schools, get out into the schools, network with your principals and your staff and keep that really at the forefront of what you鈥檙e trying to do as a superintendent.鈥�
Wilder鈥檚 educational career began after he earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Union College and his master鈥檚 degree from the University of the Cumberlands. He began teaching in 1998 as an 8th grade reading teacher at Bell County Middle School while also serving as head coach for the football team.
He then transferred to Bell County High School, where he taught junior and senior English along with Advanced Placement English.
Wilder then took on the role of assistant principal at Bell County High School before becoming the principal of Highlands High School (Fort Thomas Independent).
In 2008, Wilder began his long-term position as principal of Corbin Primary School.
Wilder classifies his leadership style as servant leadership, emphasizing how important it is to invest in his community.
鈥淚n my younger days, I saw it as a job; I saw it as task completion,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ver the years, it morphed into how I can serve you; how can I help you be the best version of you?鈥�
Wilder鈥檚 educational philosophy is rooted in his belief that every student has potential. Whether a child is mastering basic skills or excelling in advanced academics, he said it is the responsibility of educators to help them achieve their goals, no matter the circumstances.
鈥淚t sounds so clich茅 but it’s so true, keeping kids at the forefront of every decision you make,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about the adults; it鈥檚 about the kids and so if you keep that in front of you and you serve in that capacity there’s a humility that comes with that and authenticity.鈥�
Wilder notes that barriers such as socioeconomic challenges or trauma can hinder learning, but schools have the power to break cycles and open doors.
鈥淓very kid that walks into the doors of our schools or walks into the classroom, they鈥檝e got potential and it鈥檚 our job to help them reach their highest potential,鈥� he said.
Among his priorities, Wilder emphasized academic growth, expanding career and technical education programs and focusing on Corbin鈥檚 , where the district and community defines what they want Corbin students to demonstrate as they grow through school.
Wilder also wants to ensure that students gain experience through the arts and sciences alongside core academics, while investing in future skills for the workforce through internships, externships and experiential learning at all grade levels.
鈥淲e want to not only maintain our academic status, but we want to take those next steps further. We鈥檝e consistently ranked as one of the top performing school districts in the state of 99re视频精品 but we don鈥檛 want to rest on our laurels, we want to go forward,鈥� he said.
Leave A Comment