Hoffman wraps up career

It’s time to pass the torch.
Retiring Bloomfield Elementary School principal Dan Hoffman introduced his successor, Ben Dues, this week to a warm welcome from students, faculty, staff, and parents.
With the end of the school year Friday, Hoffman marked the conclusion of a 42-year career in education, during which he has been at the helm of three different Jay County elementary schools.
“The years just fly by,” said Hoffman earlier this week.
Bryant High School graduates, Dan and his wife Sharon (Glassford) Hoffman zipped through Ball State University in three years, then signed on as elementary teachers in the Jay Schools system, with Dan at Judge Haynes Elementary and Sharon at Redkey Elementary.
Hoffman, 62, taught at Judge Haynes for seven years, then was named principal at Pennville Elementary, where he served for five years. He then returned to Judge Haynes as principal for 10 years, before moving to the top job at Bloomfield where he has led the school for 20 years.
“I think the kids are easier to work with at the elementary level,” Hoffman said. “We’re building the foundation for their education, and we’re more closely connected to everyone at the elementary level.”
“Dan,” said superintendent Tim Long, “represents the consummate principal. … I’m proud to know Dan Hoffman.”
Hoffman succeeded John Minch, who had set the groundwork for Bloomfield’s first Four Star School award from the state of Indiana. Under Hoffman’s leadership, the school has received an impressive 11 more Four Star awards.
Said Hoffman, “After you get that Four Star award the first time, you want it a second time and a third time.  … I don’t like to finish second.”
“He took control of a program that was wonderful and took it to the next step higher,” said Jay School Board president Greg Wellman.
His retirement is only a part of some significant staff changes at Bloomfield. Also retiring are teachers Carolyn Scott, Gladys Mitchell, and Debbie Warnock and instructional assistant Doris Muhlenkamp.
Hoffman’s the first to recognize that the close-knit Bloomfield community is a huge factor in the school’s success. It also helps that Hoffman grew up in that part of the county and continues to farm there.
“Parents are very supportive of the school and the school system,” said Hoffman, noting that most of the kids at Bloomfield come from two-parent households.
“We just don’t allow the good kids to be bad kids,” he said. “The students are pretty good role models for the new ones that move in.”
When it comes to student discipline, said Hoffman, “Bloomfield is old school. If you get it at school, you’re going to get it at home twice as bad.”
Though he professes no regrets, Hoffman added, “I have two (students) I never got to.” One later committed suicide. The other continues to have trouble with the law.
Introducing Dues this week at a school assembly, Hoffman said he’d be a phone call away if needed.
His advice: “Listen to the people and work with the people. Keep that bar set high.”
Dues told the board this week, “I just look forward to serving Bloomfield. I know they’ve had a tradition of excellence.”[[In-content Ad]]