Two Carson City teachers are sitting on the other side of the chalkboard this semester.
Misty Harris and Ruthlee Caloiaro left the classroom behind to intern as administrators until the end of the school year.
"You go into education because you want to make a difference," Caloiaro said. "You're sometimes limited when you're in a classroom. When you're in administration, your realm of influence is a lot wider."
With farewell letters from her students, Caloiaro left her position as second-grade teacher at Empire Elementary School to intern as vice principal at Fremont Elementary School.
Health and physical education teacher Misty Harris was chosen to serve as dean of Carson High School.
"It's definitely the way I want to go," she said. "I'm always looking for a way to grow. I wanted to stay in education so the next step is administration."
The intern program began in the Carson City School District in 1995.
"It's a lot like student teachers," said Richard Stokes, associate superintendent of human resources. "It gives us an opportunity to observe those interns in action and see how they react in administrative roles."
The program has produced leaders throughout the district, including Laurel Terry, principal of Seeliger Elementary School; Pat Beckwith, vice principal of Bordewich-Bray; Lee Conley, vice principal of Empire Elementary School; Kathy Adair, vice principal of Eagle Valley Middle School; and four deans at the high and middle schools.
Harris moved to Carson City in 1999 from Idaho to teach at the high school.
"I thought this was the perfect place to raise my daughter," she said. "It's a small town and close to the mountains. I have no intentions of going anywhere."
She is also assistant coach for the swim team and is the adviser for the Teens Against Tobacco Use club.
Caloiaro has taught kindergarten, first and second grades for eight years in Carson City. She said second-graders are her favorite.
"By that time, they're secure in the routine of school," she said. "Their thirst for knowledge is gigantic. They have a real desire to learn."
Caloiaro supports the district's internship program.
"It's neat that our district offers this kind of opportunity," she said. "It helps make that transition from classroom to administration easier."
She and her husband, Dave, have two children, Steven, 16, and Laurie, 14.
Harris' daughter, K.J., is 13.
