Local residents are chosen from a number of different fields of interest in the hope that they will become ambassadors for the schools.
After shadowing for the morning with the principals, participants were invited to share their thoughts on the program.
Bill Walters and Andy Metsker spent the morning at Riverside Intermediate with Principal Donna Burroughs and Assistant Principal Jeni Hirschy. Walters is the current president of the Blueberry Festival Committee and Metsker is the fire chief for the city of Plymouth.
Walters said, “This was my first opportunity to do anything like this. The thing that surprised me most was the interaction in small groups.” Referring to the way students  were taught when he was in school, Walters said, “Students are a lot more involved and the teachers make in fun to learn.”
Metsker said, “My experience today was very different than what I have had.” Metsker, in his role as fire chief, inspects all of the school buildings on a regular basis.
Since he was born and raised in Plymouth, Art Jacobs thought he knew everyone. Jacobs is with Gibson Insurance Group and also a volunteer fireman. Jacobs  has two children who attend school in the Plymouth system.
Following his morning with Andrew Harley, assistant principal at Plymouth High School, Jacobs said, “It was neat to be with someone I didn’t know.”
He shared his appreciation that the students began the day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Jacobs said, “In my job in insurance, I see a few people each day. They have to interact with about a 1,000 people a day. I was impressed.”
Beth Styers of Teachers Credit Union (TCU) called her time at Washington Elementary a “wonderful experience.” Speaking to Principal Michele Riise, Styers said, “You’re amazing in the way you have a huge interaction with the children.”
Kathy Bottorff  took the morning off from her radio show at WTCA to shadow Bob Remenith at Jefferson Elementary.
Bottorff said, “I really enjoyed the displays in the hallways that show the creativity of the kids and teachers.”
Linda Rippy shared her thoughts after watching classes with Principal Mike Dunn at Menominee Elem-entary. Rippy is the director of the Marshall County Museum.
She said, “When I walked in and saw how they taught, I was taken aback. I just saw such warmth within the school.”
Assistant Principal Eliza-beth Ratliff helped to show City Attorney Nelson Chip-man how school life is in 2009.
Chipman also remarked at how different the schools are now. He said that he was a former classmate of Donna Burroughs. Chipman said, “I guess I had been harboring a preconceived notion of today’s education — those notions are now shattered. I will take this experience to many quarters and tell people. It was a positive experience.”
Shadowing at Lincoln Junior High with Principal Dan Funston and Assistant Principal Reid Gault were Carol Anders, Pilot News, and Ollie Dongell, pastor of Plymouth Wesleyan Church. Dongell said, “It was a great atmosphere. It’s refreshing — kids are kids.”
Dr. Ronald May is very familiar with what it takes to make educational experience successful. May is currently the President of Ancilla College and taught for many years. May said of his experience at Plymouth High School with Principal Jim Condon, “I was impressed at how technology has been incorporated, but there is still interaction between the teachers and students. I observed a second-year teacher and I was humbled.”
Mary Holm of LifePlex and Fitness Forum said she has been in Plymouth for 35 years but never had a chance to experience Princi-pal for A Day. She was assigned to Webster Elementary with Principal Carrie McGuire. Holm shared her surprise at the number of kids who had breakfast at the school before classes and that there was so much interaction with students throughout the morning.
“I was impressed with the positive control with the students — they were organized, polite and attentive,” Holm said.
Assistant Superintendent Rodger Smith, who has been in education for the last 40 years said, “When I go out to the buildings, I see community members and lots of volunteers. It’s great.”
Tyree called the principals in the Plymouth Schools a “dream team.” He said the principals and the teachers work to make the schools a good, safe learning place.