By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—There’s a new face in the Riverchase Middle School administrative offices. On Sept. 29, Trish Bogdanchik was promoted to assistant principal of the middle school.

Although new to the assistant principal position, Bogdanchik is not new to RMS. Bogdanchik taught science at the middle school for more than three years before the promotion.

“Teaching science is a passion of mine,” Bogdanchik said, adding her favorite part of teaching was the students’ excitement and “seeing kids come in and say, ‘What are we doing today?’”

Bogdanchik said she will miss teaching science, but she is excited to take on what the new job has in store for her. As assistant principal, Bogdanchik handles discipline and the day-to-day logistics of the school.

“Safety is a huge priority,” Bogdanchik said, noting her proactive and preventative approach to keeping students safe through routines and procedures. “I want us to run like a well-oiled machine.”

The transition from teacher to assistant principal has gone smoothly for Bogdanchik, and she said she already loves the new job.

“It’s gone really well. It’s been the best week ever… I just feel like it fits,” Bogdanchik said. “I’m getting to know all the kids so well, the relationship with them is just amazing.”

Bogdanchik said she also enjoys the encouraging and student-centric environment of the new Pelham City School System.

“The thing I’m most excited about is to be a new district. We are encouraged to do new things,” Bogdanchik said. “The climate is very much student focused and the first question that is always being asked now is, ‘How does this help students?’”