Coffee Talk with Westergard Principal Ben Dickson

This is the first of a series of articles featuring the schools where our youngest Somersett residents spend most of their time.

Guest author: Kim Maples, Somersett resident and parent

Who is George Westergard anyway? George Westergard was a lifelong Nevada educator who worked as a teacher in Lyon and Washoe counties for 12 years and then served as a principal for 18 years. He was a kind and caring man who students, families and teachers described as “a man to match our mountains.” It’s fitting that the school named after him looks up to our amazing backdrop of the Sierra Nevadas.

I brought Westergard Elementary Principal Ben Dickson a coffee and asked him some questions about himself and Westergard, “home of the Wildcats,” where over 500 kids attend classes every day.

Ben is married to a teacher with two adult children aged 25 and 27 and was raised in Sparks. A life-long educator with an eclectic professional background, his first position at a local elementary school was not as a teacher but as the night custodian while getting his teaching credential. He then earned double master’s degrees in curriculum and administration while teaching almost every grade level from kindergarten to sixth in four Reno elementary schools. Previous roles also include being an instructional coach for teachers across the Washoe County School District, a two-year stint as Dean of Students, and three years as an Assistant Principal before starting at Westergard almost three years ago. To say he’s seen it all is an understatement. But when asked “why Westergard” there is no hesitation in his answer, “it’s the community,” says Ben. “I love the neighborhood and staff and because I live here. I’m contributing to my own village.” He’s proud when sharing that Westergard has been able to provide students with PE and art programs when other Reno public schools do not. He attributes this to the parents and teachers that contribute their time to the Westergard Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), volunteering and raising funds for student enrichment programs and events. These activities are particularly important to Westergard students because research has shown that Nevada typically spends less on education than the national average due to several factors at the state level. When asked how parents can get involved, Ben says “it can be as simple as reading to your child.” Parents who have the time are welcome to work with teachers to help in the classroom, become crossing guards when school starts or lets out, join the PTO or help with the running club - “we welcome parental help in so many ways, there really isn’t a single way to get involved,” Ben says.

“Be Awesome,” his personal motto, is now a mantra with the students and staff at Westergard. It reminds students to do their best wherever they are and work to be better without the need to be perfect. Somersett families thank Principal Dickson and the whole Westergard administration and education staff for being awesome and for their hard work and dedication to helping our children realize they can be the best version of themselves.

Quick facts about Westergard:

1. 503 students

2 . 52 staff members

3. Serving Pre-K to 5th grade students

4. Students move on in 6th grade to Billinghurst Middle School

5. Opened in 1989

6. Mascot is the Wildcats

Principal Ben Dickson