Tom Radivonyk is the new superintendent of Carlisle County. Submitted photo
As someone who has a Rolodex of experience, Tom Radivonyk is hoping to use his skills and knowledge to create a school district known for its commitment to excellence, innovation and community spirit.
“I have held a lot of roles which I think will help in my superintendency,” Radivonyk said. “I have been a substitute teacher, a bus driver, a high school teacher, principal and other roles which gave me a wide range of experiences.”
Radivonyk was named superintendent of Carlisle County on July 1. Before taking on this new role, he was the principal of Lyon County High School.
In his message to the district, Radivonyk said a school is a place where education extends beyond the classroom.
“It is nurturing well-rounded individuals prepared to succeed in an ever-changing world,” he said. “We aim to provide an inclusive and supportive atmosphere, encouraging every student to reach their fullest potential.”
Radivonky approached his new position with a vision to establish the Carlisle County school district as a premier destination.
“By working together with families, staff and the community, we strive to create a safe and inspiring place for everyone in Carlisle County,” he said. “Together, we will continue to make Carlisle County schools a place where excellence in education and student well-being go hand in hand.”
Being in a new school district, Radivonyk said he plans to take time this year to be a mindful listener to his educators, staff, families and students to learn about Carlisle County, home of the Comets.
“All school cultures are different, all school personnel are different, so I want to take time and learn from everyone else more than what they’re learning from me this year,” he said.
Listening to those in the community, he said he has learned very quickly the welcoming culture and passion the Carlisle community has for their students and educators.
“Everyone says the same thing, that this community is a great place and has great people,” he said. “Everyone I have met out in the community has been so wonderful.”
Radivonyk said those relationships and connections are something he looks forward to continuing to make.
“What is awesome about this community is that even with the school in particular, everyone knows their students within this community and have deep relationships with them,” Radivonyk said. “I understand the depth of those relationships, but those relationships are being leveraged to bring greatness out of kids here in Carlisle County.”
With long-term goals in mind as well, Radivonyk hopes to move the needle positively for his students.
“My broad vision and goal are for us to be the greatest district in the river counties,” he said. “Be the best school in our little corner of western Kentucky so that this is the school students choose to drive to.”
He said this goal is more than just encouraging students to come to the district, but also educators.
“I want this to be the district that teachers want to be a part of because we are just different, we feel different, a bone-deep kind of difference here in Carlisle County,” Radivonyk said. “We already have a great culture, but I want to grow upon that.”
Being a smaller district comes with its perks, he said, and he looks forward to using that knowledge to the students advance when it comes to learning and building meaningful relationships.
“I know all students can achieve their own success and that looks different for every kid,” he said. “One thing that a small school has the advantage of is that we can understand those individual students at a deeper level and we can make sure that kids are personally connected to a trusted adult in the school for them to celebrate those individual successes.”
Leave A Comment