By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Troy Armstrong spent 33 years working in public education, but his connection to Wauseon Schools reaches back much further.
A 1987 Wauseon High School graduate, Armstrong retired Aug. 1 after serving seven years as superintendent of Wauseon Exempted Village Schools. He is succeeded by Keith Leatherman. Armstrong previously spent 10 years as principal of Wauseon Primary School.
Armstrong’s wife, Jill, also graduated from Wauseon, and all three of their children attended the district. For Armstrong, becoming superintendent provided an opportunity to serve the schools and community that had played an important role in his own life.
A Career That Began In Toledo
Armstrong earned a degree in elementary education from Bowling Green State University in 1993. He later received a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Toledo and completed the coursework required for his superintendent’s license at the University of Findlay.
He began his career with Toledo Public Schools, where he spent seven years as a teacher and administrator. His positions included teacher, dean of students, assistant principal and elementary principal.
Armstrong later joined Springfield Local Schools, where he worked as an elementary principal and director of technology and curriculum.
His first professional return to Wauseon came in 2005, when the Primary School principal position became available following the retirement of Carolyn Short.
At the time, Armstrong and his wife were raising their three children. Working in Wauseon allowed him to spend more time with his family and made it easier for the couple to manage their children’s schedules.
“It was really nice to be able to be right here in Wauseon and to be a little more hands-on with my kids,” Armstrong said.
All three of his children even attended Wauseon Primary School while he was principal. “That was pretty neat,” he said.
Armstrong’s educational background was focused on elementary education, and each of his principal positions involved younger students.
He led a preschool-through-sixth-grade building in Toledo, a preschool-through-fifth-grade building in Springfield and Wauseon’s preschool-through-second-grade building.
He said instruction changes depending on the age of the students. Preschool education is largely play-based, while kindergarten begins introducing children to a more structured learning environment.
The responsibility of educators, however, remains the same: understanding what each student needs and preparing that student for the next step.
Returning To Wauseon
After 10 years at Wauseon Primary School, Armstrong returned to Springfield Local Schools in 2015. During the next four years, he held two assistant superintendent positions.
He first served as assistant superintendent of federal programs, overseeing federal funding along with employees working in special education and intervention.
He later became assistant superintendent of operations and oversaw staffing throughout the district. Then in 2019, Armstrong returned to Wauseon as superintendent.
Building On What Already Worked
Armstrong said his goal was not to enter the district and make changes simply for the sake of change. He wanted to build on the work already taking place and help the district continue moving forward.
One of Wauseon’s strengths, he said, is its willingness to consider new ideas and educational strategies.
“Wauseon wants to be out front and try new things, take on challenges and always be the front-runner when it comes to educational strategies,” Armstrong said.
The district’s virtual academy is one example. Wauseon maintained the program through the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to offer it to students in grades 7 through 12.
“If the brick-and-mortar learning environment isn’t the best place for that student, we have an option for kids,” Armstrong said.
Finances were another major concern when Armstrong became superintendent. The district reviewed its spending, made budget changes and asked voters to approve an earned-income tax.
Community support for the tax gave the district additional resources for instruction and updated curriculum.
Armstrong said replacing curriculum throughout the district can cost between $500,000 and $600,000 once materials for every grade level and a variety of student needs are included.
“It’s important that we have financial support from our community so that we can maintain the high level of instruction our teachers provide,” he said.
What He’ll Miss Most
While Armstrong is proud of the district’s programs and progress, he believes its employees are what set Wauseon apart.
He said staff members throughout the district work to make sure students have a positive experience.
That includes the people students encounter on the bus, in the cafeteria, in the classroom and throughout the school buildings.
“We look at every child, no matter who they are, where they come from or what learning styles they have, and we meet them where they’re at,” Armstrong said.
“The way to do that is to care about the kid, care about the family and care about them not only as a student, but as a person.”
Armstrong said he will miss interacting with those employees each day. He will also miss watching students develop throughout their years in the district.
“When you see a student for the first time coming to preschool or kindergarten, and then you’re able to see them graduate from high school, that’s pretty neat,” he said. “I think that’s what I’ll miss the most, seeing that student growth firsthand.”
Looking Ahead
Although he is retired, Armstrong does not plan to leave education entirely. He will serve as a substitute administrator for Springfield Local Schools when needed.
He also hopes to travel with his wife, Jill, who has taught in Wauseon for 32 years and currently teaches sixth grade.
Armstrong will remain in the community, but retirement will give him an opportunity to step away from the daily responsibilities of leading the district after more than three decades as an educator and administrator.