VOLGA – There is a certain level of chaos that can be expected at any school, and this year is certainly a bit more hectic than usual at Sioux Valley.

Always up for a challenge, new Sioux Valley Elementary School Principal Heather Hiltunen is working to further encourage a climate of positivity while the elementary section is expanded during the school year.

The expansion that will add 11 classrooms, a multipurpose room and a new office area is shaping her start at Sioux Valley and her goals for the school’s future.

One of those goals is to fill those classrooms to the point where each grade at Sioux Valley has three sections. She’s also interested in adding to the school’s academic accomplishments. Specifically, she wants to see Sioux Valley Elementary earn the honor of being designated as a Blue Ribbon school.

But she can’t forget the personal role of being a school principal.

“I want kids when they’re asked, ‘Do you like school?’ to say, ‘Yes, I love school.’ We just want to ignite the spark here at Sioux Valley,” Hiltunen said.

There’s a passion for interacting with people, and she takes the power of relationships seriously. To that end, she’s busy memorizing the names of community members, parents and students.

She even takes school books home with the name and picture of each student to help: “I take the book home, flip to their pictures and cover up their names and take a little quiz for myself.”

By bringing an openness to her role and being involved, she hopes to see even more positivity at the school than there already is.

“I hope when people come here, whether as a student or a staff member, they like it here and want to be here. That’s who I am, making sure you like what you do,” Hiltunen said.

As the hum of construction goes on outside, the staff and students have adapted to all the necessary adjustments going alongside the expansion project.

She didn’t inherit the former elementary principal’s office, now being remodeled and repurposed as a counselor’s office. During construction, a former dry food storage room is serving as her office, an assortment of wall-mounted gray electrical boxes providing her office with a decidedly industrial aesthetic.

And there is some irony in getting used to operating around the construction: just as soon as they become accustomed, it’ll be completed and another round of changes will ensue as they move into the new space. Still, it’s a good problem to have.

“I think you just have to take things in stride, and with any project, you know there are going to be some things that you will have to adjust around and go with and change …. We’re all working together as a team to get where we need to be by the time our new building is ready,” she said.

A Howard native, Hiltunen earned her elementary education and special education degrees at Dakota State University. From there, she returned to Howard to teach for 14 years. At first, she was a K-6 special education teacher, but most of her years there were as a third-grade teacher, with some combination classes with third and fourth graders.

After that, in 2010, the Hiltunen family moved to Custer. It was at this time she earned her master’s degree in school administration from the University of South Dakota.

Teaching jobs in that area were scarce, however, so the Hiltunen family moved to New Castle, Wyoming. She once again taught special ed there before accepting a second-grade teaching job back in Custer.

Being an educator was what she felt called to do; even from her youth, being at the head of the classroom seemed inevitable. As a little girl, she’d often line up her dolls and act as their teacher.

But with the encouragement of a principal she had worked for, she began to consider getting into school administration.

“I never really thought about moving on into a leadership role. I was content with being a teacher, but she encouraged me, saying, ‘I think you’d be a good candidate.’ I always appreciated her confidence in me and making me think about that more,” she said.

As she took classes at the University of South Dakota, she knew this was right for her.

It was in Custer that she accepted her first job as principal, too. This was the job she has had the past four years. The biggest difference from her teaching days is the level of responsibility.

“Instead of being in charge of a classroom of 20-some kids, now your classroom is bigger; I have 350 kids in my classroom, plus 50 staff,” Hiltunen said.

She, her husband Mike and their five kids (Erik, Peyton, Trent, Kendra and Brady), moved to Volga in July. The latter three children are actually enrolled in Sioux Valley. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

She added, “They might not always say that, depending on what age they are, but I think they do appreciate mom not being too far away.”

There’s actually more freedom from family at this school than at past schools; back in Howard, Hiltunen, their great-aunt and their grandmother worked at their school.

Now that she and the family are moved in and settled down, they’re grateful for the warm reception they’ve received. In particular, Hiltunen is thankful for the chance to serve in this role in the community, impacting staff and students for years to come.

Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.