After the three-month-long summer break, the Bulldogs have returned home to Edmond Memorial High School. Not only have students returned, but Keith Pautler has also returned home as the new head principal. Pautler previously worked at EMHS as an assistant principal for four years–three as the sophomore assistant principal and one as the Freshman Academy principal–but left after the COVID-19 shutdown in April 2020.
“It’s exciting to return home in a different role, a different capacity,” Pautler said.
Pautler demonstrates his love and appreciation for EMHS through his newsletters and speeches. The tradition, heritage and pride many individuals in Edmond have for this school are some of his favorite things about this place, and he plans to continue this legacy.
“I had an alumnus tell me the other day that, even when things in his life had been difficult, he always felt like he could come back here and attend things and see people that he knew,” Pautler said. This was his home. I think that’s the most important thing to me”
Pautler plans to bring a certain set of pillars to revolutionize the community of past EMHS graduates. His goal is to strengthen students and keep them engaged in the EMHS community even after graduation.
“I think that I’ll feel successful when we build a huge alumni base and when they feel like their time here was just an amazing set of four years,” Pautler said.
Throughout his 20 years of experience, Pautler has learned valuable lessons that aid him in being a better principal for the Bulldogs. One of these lessons is learning how to work better with people, especially those who need it the most, and act as a help desk. This trait can be noticed by the staff who work closely with him, including his secretary, Linda Keller.
“He is a great boss,” Keller said. “He is always appreciative of what we do and always makes sure to say thank you.”
Pautler would like students to know that he is an approachable administrator. He enjoys hearing from students about their struggles and successes alike.
“I am here to support them, and part of my job is to keep them safe while they’re here,” Pautler said. “Part of their job is to help keep them safe while they’re here.”
Pautler looks forward to all the unique activities EMHS has to offer, from seeing the Dog Pound at games to attending musicals and the Swine Week assemblies. His pillars of Believe, Belong and Sacrifice are some of the driving forces for his administration at this campus, and he will utilize these to leave his mark on this school.
Contact Noelia Ocampo Resendiz at [email protected]