JORDAN - Eric Varney has learned a lot from being a father.

On Wednesday, Varney, 38, of Clay, will take his knowledge gained from being the parent of three boys and bring it to the first day of school at Nelson J, Ramsdell Elementary in the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District, as principal.

“I've dealt with a lot of issues as a parent as a father that have prepared me for this job,” said Varney, who has had both classroom teaching and administrative experience. “You have to understand that kids are going to make mistakes, make bad choices, but you're there to help them learn from their mistakes and choices.”

Varney joined the district after serving in administrative roles in various districts and institutions, from the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services to the Baldwinsville Central School District to Onondaga Community College, as well as serving in Baldwinsville as a fourth-grade classroom teacher.

“I think Jordan-Elbridge is a very up-and-coming district,” he said. “They're doing a lot of new initiatives that I'm very excited about. Before I came to this district there was a lot of buzz about this district and it seemed like an exciting place to work for.”

He will be looking to improve student achievement, build a collective relationship between the school and the community and increase parent involvement, he said.

As a family man, Varney is looking to instill the value of family upon his students.

“When I was a classroom teacher, I treated my students like they were my family,” he said. “I always thought that when I became a principal I'd treat my students like they were my family. I want to (instill) a strong sense of values in each other, respect for each other, a caring community of learners in this building.”

Varney plans on greeting his students when they get off the bus, talking to them and even eating lunch with them.

“I can lead by example by being a positive role model in their lives, someone to look up to.”

But Varney understands that there is a balancing act between being his students' friend and being their principal.

“I think having a sense of humor is key to being successful in this job,” he said. “There's a little bit of kid in me, but kids have to know that you mean business, that there's expectations of them, that there are consequences to their actions. But there is a lighter side to my job and it helps me to relate to the kids. I am genuinely concerned of the things happening in their lives in their homes, with their families and friends. You have to have those interactions with kids to know the trends, the fads. It keeps you on your toes.”

Varney knew that he wanted to go into administration from his first job as a fourth grade classroom teacher. Eight years later, he achieved his goal. Joining Ramsdell Elementary as its principal, he said, has been yet another accomplishment.

“I think when I got into administration my dream job, my goal, my destiny was to be an elementary school principal,” he said. “I like the daily interactions with the kids. Perhaps that's why it hasn't sunk in yet. It was something I was reaching for down the road, and here it is.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239