After 13 years at Mill Valley, assistant principal and activities director Marilyn Chrisler, is retiring at the end of the year. She will leave behind a legacy that has positively impacted thousands of students and staff members.
Chrisler’s journey to becoming assistant principal was a long one. She started her college career at Seward County Community College, primarily to play basketball. Then she got her undergraduate degree at Ft. Hays State University in education and her master’s degree in admin at Baker University. She began her teaching career in Great Bend, Kansas and after five years she moved on to Fort Osage High School for one year and, eventually, moved to Olathe South for six years.
“A career in tech position became open in the De Soto district at the district office and I took that,” Chrisler said. “I wanted to be in a building with kids, so as Mill Valley was continuing to grow, I was afforded the opportunity to be an assistant principal here.”
Chrisler said she will miss many things when she leaves, but there is one thing she will miss more than the rest.
“I will miss [working with the kids] the most,” Chrisler said. “When you have kids that are involved in sports and activities, those are the kids that are motivated and want to be successful. [They] are just nice people to be around.”
Chrisler’s massive involvement in school life and activities has impacted many students positively, including senior Georgia Hansen.
“I’m sad to see her go,” Hansen said. “She was a wonderful activities [director]. I know she’s had a really big impact on the school and for me, she’s been a lot of help for setting up the Ultimate Frisbee Club. I think she would have been really helpful to the next year’s students, but I understand that she has other things to move on to.”
Senior Molly Bilhimer has also seen how Chrisler has impacted the student body and how she persists in helping students and being involved.
“One thing that I have always liked about Chrisler is how open and reliable she is for all students,” Bilhimer said. “She is extremely involved and has always been genuinely interested in what is going on in students’ lives. She truly cares about the well-being of students and pushes [them] to be the best versions of themselves. Not only is she a person that is available to talk to, she goes a step further and always tries to check in on students no matter the situation.”
Chrisler will be replaced by Dr. Heath Wilson. New assistant principal Heath Wilson shares his goals that he has for the school, students and staff.
“She’s a phenomenal professional,” Wilson said. “I’ve heard nothing but great things and I hope to continue doing the things that she does really well. I want to be able to fulfill [the school’s] needs and meet all of those expectations to serve the people to the best of my ability.”
Senior Regan Roberts is hopeful Dr. Wilson will approach this new position with students as the priority, like what Chrisler accomplished.“I would love to see someone who has the same characteristics as Chrisler, and someone who’s always looking out for the best interests of their students,” Roberts said.
With the conclusion of her career approaching, Chrisler is extremely grateful for all who are involved with the school.
“I feel very blessed to have been part of this community for so long,” Chrisler said. “This school has afforded me many more good days than bad. There have been many good things. We have amazing teachers, amazing staff and, most importantly, we have amazing kids. From the bottom of my heart, I will truly miss you. Thank you, I will always be MV proud.”
