Teya Cotter is the new principal of Roguewood Elementary School.
Other positions you have held in education: fifth grade teacher in East Grand Rapids; principal in Saugatuck at Douglas Elementary; principal at North Oakview Elementary in Northview; DK-12 Literacy Coordinator in Northview Public Schools
Education and degrees: MA in Curriculum and Teaching, Ed. Specialist in Administrative Leadership, Michigan State University
Spouse/children: husband, Dustin Cotter; twin daughters, Breslin and Piper in first grade; and Kaiden Cotter in kindergarten, all at Roguewood
Hobbies/interests/little-known talent: Running, reading, singing
What kind of kid were you at the age of students at this new school? I loved to be outside and play with my dog and friends. In third grade I was Gretl in the high school musical “Sound of Music.” Later in elementary school I loved running track, participated in Odyssey of the Mind, was a Brownie and Girl Scout, and played the piano, sang in the choir and played the clarinet.
The biggest lesson you have learned from students is… We all have so much to learn, and that having fun while you are doing it with a purpose makes it part of you forever!
If I could go back to school I would go to … Kindergarten, because we got to sit in the big silver tub and read the best books for what seemed like hours.
If you walked into your new school building to theme music by a favorite artist or band, what would the song be? “It’s a Beautiful Day” by U2. I started my first marathon in Washington D.C. on the Memorial Bridge at sunrise, and always feel momentous beginnings with that song!
