News
Bickford named secondary principal for the Bottineau School District
Scott Wagar
05/29/2012
Joel Bickford has joined the staff of the Bottineau School District and will serve the district in the capacity of the secondary principal.
Bickford was born in Badtolz, Germany, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Army. He was raised in Wisconsin and is a 1984 graduate of Almond High School.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and physical education from Jamestown College in 1987 and went on to the University of North Dakota where in 2009 he received his master’s degree in educational leadership.
Bickford’s first job in the education field was in Lehr, N.D.
“I taught one year there before I moved to Wahpeton. I taught in Wahpeton for 13 years. While there, I coached football and track. I was very involved in my family and job, but wanted to pursue my master’s degree. I was all set to attend UND for graduate school but didn’t get the chance. I was instead deployed with my National Guard unit to Iraq,” said Bickford, who is a 25 year member of the National Guard who currently holds the rank of Major. “I spent a total of 18 months deployed. After the deployment I was fortunate to find a full-time National Guard job recruiting officers. While doing this I was able to get my master’s degree completed.
“While going through my master’s degree program, I was certain I wanted to get back into education, so I applied at LaMoure,” Bickford added. “My in-laws farm there so we would be close to family. I stayed there for five years as the principal and activities director, and I coached track and football.”
While in his tenure, Bickford’s wife, Vicki, went back to school and received a degree in clinical laboratory science. With no medical facility in LaMoure, the Bickfords began looking for a community they both could find employment in. They discovered the Turtle Mountains.
“Bottineau had the job for my wife in the hospital and things happened fast,” Bickford said. “I interviewed and was offered the job, so we just felt that there were too many things that worked. We couldn’t ignore the opportunity. With an excellent school system in Bottineau, which was larger and a career for my wife, we decided to move.”
Bickford’s goals as he starts his educational journey in Bottineau are to provide the best educational experience for the students and their teachers.
“I take the role of principal very serious. I like to be viewed as the lead teacher. I am a strong team builder and have plenty of ideas and goals for the school I am in. I also like to help teachers be the best that they can be and at the center of all my work is the students,” Bickford said. “I firmly believe that these are our most precious assets and we must do all we can to give them a quality education that will allow them to be a productive citizen in the world we live in.
“I strive for student achievement and believe we must celebrate our successes and continually try to improve on our weaknesses. I like to think I have the ability to inspire those around me and the judgment to make decisions wisely. I have leadership experience through the military and through the field of education,” Bickford continued to state. “I believe I am a fun person and have an easy going style (keep in mind that sometimes my job and pace challenge this). I am open to suggestions and welcome input. I cannot please everyone and I understand that. I also do not want to change things for the sake of being trendy or in keeping up with neighbors. I believe in doing things that make sense and are best for our students learning. I encourage dialogue and will do all I can to keep the public informed.”
The Bickfords have four children, which includes three daughters. Rachel is 24 and will began teaching in Lisbon, ND, this fall; Kaia is 20 and is a junior in Moorhead State University after attending Jamestown College for two years; and Mackenzie is 18 and is either going to start her first year of college at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point or Dakota College at Bottineau this fall. The couple also has one son, Tanner, who is 16 and will attend Bottineau High School.
In his spare time, Bickford enjoys sports, but enjoys one sporting event more than any other.
“I am an avid cyclist. I ride my bicycle 70 miles a week. I bicycled through Bottineau last summer as I went across the state. I crossed Minnesota the previous year. I take a week long trip annually, and have written of some of my travels,” he said. “I am very excited to come to a community with a bike path and also the opportunity to expand this. Most citizens will see me riding and yes I ride in the winter on my icebike. I hope to get involved in some community events and really hope to expand my winter activities.”
Bickford and his wife are pleased to be moving to Bottineau and becoming part of the community.
“My wife and I are excited to adventure to a new community and would like to thank everyone involved for giving us this opportunity,” Bickford said.