Mark Wandle Awarded for Best of Yellowstone County Awards

Congratulations to Mark Wandle,  Superintendent of Huntley Project Schools as being chosen for the 2022 Best of Yellowstone County Editor’s Choice Award!  

Here is what was announced and written in recognition of Mark Wandle below in the Yellowstone County News Meanderings column by Jonathan McNiven in April 29, 2022.

 

Meanderings – Best of Yellowstone County Editor’s Choice Award, Mark Wandle,

Well folks, it’s that time of the year when we get to release the Best of Yellowstone County Awards and feature the best professionals out there in the community and industries.

Not only is it important to recognize all the winners this year but also the industry professionals that have won it three times in a row.  It must say something about the job they are doing in the community, for their clients and/or customers in the local Yellowstone County area. There are a number of businesses that have won the Best of Yellowstone County Award three years in a row. Do you know who they are? 

As for the Editor’s Choice Award this year, I’ve chosen Mark Wandle, Superintendent of Huntley Project Schools, as this year’s Best of Yellowstone County Awards recipient.

There are a lot of reasons for awarding Mark this Editor’s Choice Award.

I’ve sat back for about 5-6 years and just observed Mark as the Superintendent from a distance.  Before Mark was chosen as the Superintendent of Huntley Project Schools, Mark was a teacher and coach. Not only did he prove that he is capable to lead a group of teachers and students over the years, but that he can now do it for the whole school.  I’ve watched Mark in action as a leader in so many different ways over the years that I’m in awe and admiration what he brings to the community, school and education.

As for the school, I’ve seen Mark in action covering for teachers and classes that need support when there are no teachers available.  I’ve seen Mark covering recess duty many times when there is a need, (while also taking my calls telling me he’ll call me back as soon as he gets freed up from recess duty).  I’ve observed Mark helping to cover other teachers’ responsibilities when there is a need like outside duty for buses.  In fact, I learned one time that Mark was driving a school bus route because there were not enough bus drivers.  I’ve observed Mark helping to coach athletes for a lot of different sports.  I’ve also observed Mark Wandle cover for the athletic director because there was a lot of other events going on at the same time and there needed to be an adult representative at the event.  I’ve even seen Mr. Wandle, and his administration, go to away games just to show a presence for the safety of the kids.  I knew that he was also doing those things while his own kids were participating in sports and activities in other locations which shows the sacrifice his family has also made to help support him in his role as the leader, administrator, and member of the community. 

I’ve personally dealt with Mark on matters that I’d prefer not to go into but I felt like Mark did the best he could and still was very professional about the whole ordeal.  He has been in a very hard spot as the superintendent on certain occasions and I feel like he has owned up to the situation, dealt with it, and even apologized on a couple occasions to the pubic in how something could have been dealt with better.  It takes a humble yet responsible person to admit when they are wrong and then to publicly bring it to light, but that fact that he owned up to his shortcomings showed that he is human but his demeanor expresses his true values he expects in himself as well as others exemplifies his leadership abilities.

Now, as a community member, I always see Mark Wandle participating in community events, whether it be clean up days or even participating in parades and local events as a veteran. 

As for school board meetings and information that we ask for as the media, Mark is always willing to make sure we have the answers to the questions so as to make sure the correct information gets out to the masses.  Mark always sends YCN the agenda for their monthly meetings, Mark is willing to take our calls even when its hard topics to talk about.  Mark has a monthly column he sends to YCN called the Superintendents Sandbox and he always stays in communication to meet his deadlines. 

I could go on and on and on about what I’ve observed Mark doing in action.  I’m sure there is so much more he does for his family, church and community that I don’t even know about but I’m sure he does a whole lot more than what I see. 

As for that and so much more, I’m sure the Huntley Project community would join me in congratulating Mark Wandle as this year’s Editor’s Choice Award Recipient for the Best of Yellowstone County. 

Thank you Mark for your leadership, your example, support of those you lead, your service (not only in the community and school) but your service in uniform. 

Its members of the community like Mark Wandle that are great examples of the Best of Yellowstone County. 

 

JDM