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Mikki Gifford is looking forward to her new role with La Conner schools.

Make that, roles.

Gifford is the new combination middle school-high school assistant principal and athletic director, a dual post she says is ideal given her extensive background in secondary level academics and extra-curricular activities.

She arrives at La Conner after 15 years with the Oak Harbor School District and more than two decades in public education.

“I entered the field of education to make a difference,” Gifford said last week. “Each school day I have this honored opportunity to create a positive influence within my relationships with my students and staff.”

Gifford is part of a reshuffling of the upper schools administrative leadership team.

She will fill the position for which La Conner alum Christine Tripp had been hired. Tripp is now moving to the middle school-high school principalship vacated when Kathy Herrera left La Conner last week on a one-year leave of absence while she fulfills athletic director duties in Delano, California.

A fitness specialist and physical education teacher who has coached volleyball, basketball, swimming and track and field, Gifford will hit the ground running at La Conner – both literally and figuratively.

“I am passionate about sharing my love of learning and the joy and success which comes from keeping a growth mindset for both students and our educators,” she said.

Gifford is already well acquainted with La Conner. She enjoys cycling the backroads here, a pursuit she refers to as “a Sunday favorite.”

She is also an avid sailor, surfer, runner, golfer, skier and windsurfer. Professionally, she has struck a balance between academics and athletics. Her bachelor’s degree, earned at Central Washington University, is in health and physical education. She completed graduate work in educational leadership, receiving a master’s degree from Western Governor’s University.

Her approach in the classroom has been to promote cooperative learning, with students working in groups to learn to support one another and respect and recognize personal differences, all the while developing pride in individual talents.

Certified as a National Board teacher in 2008, Gifford taught at Kelso, Snoqualmie and Centralia prior to joining the Oak Harbor staff.

“I have chosen to stay working at the secondary level (Grades 6-12) for over 25 years,” Gifford said, “as I enjoy helping students navigate their post-high school pathways and be witness to all their student achievements at graduation.”

Gifford has two children. Sydney, 24, is a medical student residing in Bellingham. Brock, 17, who stands 6’-3”, is a student-athlete at Oak Harbor High.

She cannot wait to get out of the starting blocks at La Conner.

“The assistant principalship and athletic director combo leadership position,” said Gifford, “is my ideal job.”

New La Conner Superintendent Will Nelson officially begins his tenure here tomorrow, succeeding Rich Stewart.