It can be difficult to get used to a new school for people of all ages, regardless of whether you are working or learning. Heath Sigg has jumped into the year at West as the new Assistant Principal for juniors. Despite any challenges he may be facing, Sigg has been a part of numerous activities and has expressed positive feelings about the environment.

“It’s fantastic, really good kids, great climate, [and] very respectful,” Sigg said. “It’s a good family atmosphere in terms of kids as well, and the staff is second to none.”

At the beginning of his path to West, Sigg attended college focusing on education and social studies.

“I’m a Jayhawk, so I went to Kansas University,” Sigg said. “I majored in education and then I went back five or six years later and got my administration degree there, too.”

After graduating from KU, Sigg went and taught at schools in the De Soto and Gardner school districts. Then, he became an assistant principal and a principal in Gardner, Blue Valley, and Shawnee Mission before working in Olathe at Summit Trail and now Olathe West. 

While he has had many years of experience as a principal, the path to administration wasn’t always his end goal.

“I probably didn’t go into it thinking that I wanted to be an administrator, but I had a chance in the first building and the second building that I taught in to have some leadership opportunities,” Sigg said. “I was a coach, I was an athletic director, I led several clubs, Student Council, and really enjoyed the opportunity to help both kids and other teachers and to work together. I was eventually a team lead on my team in middle school, and all of those opportunities led to an interest in kind of extending that.”

Going into this academic year, we all have our individual goals, whether we want a 4.0 GPA or to win state for our sport. It is no different for Sigg, who has aspirations for what he wants to accomplish as an assistant principal this year.

“[My goal is] to probably get to know the building, get to know as many kids as I can, there’s a lot of you guys in a short amount of time, and [to] get involved in as many of the student activities that exist to cheer on West and do the best I can to help,” Sigg said. 

Even though he is the assistant principal solely for juniors, Sigg has expressed interest in meeting and getting to work with students of all ages throughout the school.

“[I want students to know] that I’m here if anybody ever needs any help,” Sigg said. “I would love to get a chance to know you and to get a chance to help you if you ever need anything.”