The Elma School District’s search for a new high school principal is officially over, as Rich Rasanen stepped into his role for the first time July 1.

Rasanen brings years of educational experience to Elma High School. Before coming to Elma, he had been a special education teacher at Vancouver Public Schools, K-12 principal at the Oakville School District and for the last four years has been principal at Onalaska School District.

Rasanen, a Navy veteran, got his start in education upon moving to Longview after getting out of the service. His first position in the field of education was as a counselor for a program that allowed “at-risk” teens to have access to sports facilities on the weekends.

“Once I began to see how education can have a positive effect on the perception to achieve, I was hooked,” he said.

Rasanen grew up on the Harbor. He has lived in Satsop, Cosmopolis, Montesano, South Aberdeen and Central Park.

“We moved around a bit,” he said with some humor.

Rasanen graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and then went on to Portland State University to acquire his master’s degree in special education. He later attended City University of Seattle for educational leadership.

Even as an accomplished educator with much on his plate, Rasanen does find time to enjoy the recreational opportunities the area has to offer. Hunting, fishing, skiing and hiking are all ways he spends his free time.

“Really all the Pacific Northwest has to offer,” he said.

While he has moved around for his education and career, Rasanen said returning to the Harbor has been on his mind since he left in 1989.

“When the opportunity came available for the high school principal at EHS I applied and was extremely excited when offered the job,” he said.

Having recently completed his first day on the job, he came away with much to say about the campus and the teachers with whom he will be working.

“My first impression was how beautiful the campus was,” he said.

His goal as the new principal is to listen and to promote student development by working with teachers and the students themselves.

“I believe strongly in student development and we have several great educators at EHS and the district as a whole,” Rasanen said. “I am very pleased to join the team.”