VIDALIA &045;&045; To someone walking into Kerry Laster’s office, it seems evident she has made herself at home in Concordia Parish &045;&045; even after just three days at her new post.

Already, her office is adorned with books, photographs and many other personal touches. And why not? It really is the new school superintendent’s

home.

The Ferriday native has returned after a lengthy hiatus in the north &045;&045; north Louisiana, Shreveport to be exact &045;&045; to take over the helm of the school district that educated her.

&uot;This is the biggest challenge I have taken on in my life, next to raising teenagers,&uot; Laster told a room full of principals and school administrators Wednesday morning.

And she also answered the question that seems to be asked most often &045;&045; why she came back to the parish.

&uot;That’s the question I’ve answered a million times if I’ve answered it a thousand times &045;&045; it was time for me to make a change,&uot; Laster said.

&uot;I think I felt like I could build on the successes of a good school district and make it a great school district.&uot;

Coming from an elementary school principal’s post she held for many years, her first time as superintendent has been a bit more fast-paced than expected.

&uot;But it’s exciting,&uot; Laster said. &uot;It never stops, but it’s fun and I’m exhilarated.&uot;

At the same time, she said, &uot;It is a very humbling experience because I know how much more I have to learn. I equate it to what a first year teacher feels like. But every day I’m getting a handle on it.&uot;

And not only is this a first for her, but she is

also the first female superintendent in Concordia Parish.

&uot;Nobody has even mentioned that to me&uot; since the night Laster was hired, she said. &uot;I would hope it’s a nonissue.&uot;

Since her first day, Monday, Laster has been on the go. Meetings have taken up much of her days, she has taken time to meet many people in the district.

A typical day, or at least so far, starts at 5 a.m., Laster said. By about 6:30 a.m. she is at work having one-on-one conversations with coworkers. She gets down to work, however, no later than 7 a.m. This week, she has visited up to three schools a day in between fielding telephone calls from a myriad of people and having meetings.

She tries to leave the office by 6 p.m., but work doesn’t stop there &045;&045; she still has to sift through paperwork at home.

And while she has been alone much of the week, &uot;I have found a whole new school family here in Concordia Parish,&uot; Laster said, adding she’s received a warm welcome.

&uot;I never thought I would ever come home,&uot; Laster said. &uot;It brings back very fond memories of my parents. Many fine people in the community are responsible for who I am.&uot;

Laster said that upbringing, and growing up with very little, has shaped her work ethic. She said that, in Concordia Parish, she learned things &uot;that I would not have learned somewhere else.&uot;

&uot;They were good experiences,&uot; she said.

Now she is working hard to shape this school district.

After a lengthy time without a permanent superintendent, Laster said many people in the district want answers. But she is getting to know the district’s people one step at a time.

From teachers to central office personnel, she has made her expectations and goals clear.

&uot;I really do plan to be at the schools a lot,&uot; Laster told principals Wednesday, adding that such visits are her style. But that style is still growing over time.

&uot;I have my leadership style that will continue to evolve,&uot; Laster said. &uot;With my experience as a principal, I have a better chance of a relationship with the principals and teachers than I would have been being in a central office position for 10 years.&uot;

She minced no words in telling the principals her primary focus is student achievement.

&uot;I am passionate about what I do. I am passionate about student achievement,&uot; Laster said. &uot;(And I have a) lot of desire to lead your district to succeed with all of your kiddos.&uot;

Laster is coming into the district at a critical juncture, with just about three months before test time. How much can she do in that time? Laster said she is already planning for a year and three months away.

Laster said she knows where the emphasis must lie &045;&045; in the classroom. &uot;School improvement is not going to come from me or the central office, it’s going to come from within you and your schools,&uot; she told the principals.

Having been a teacher and principal, Laster said she believes 100 percent in principals being instructional leaders at their schools and said she never wants to forget that first and foremost she is a teacher.

&uot;You are definitely the instructional leader,&uot; Laster said to the principals.

&uot;There is no question in my mind. I want principal input on everything. You know your teachers, your students, your parents, your community better than anyone.&uot;

But Laster also let administrators know she is just a telephone call away for assistance or just for moral support. &uot;We all need a little uplifting now and then,&uot; she said.

So Laster is just working on what she knows about teaching, curriculum, instruction and leading and using her &uot;adrenaline rush,&uot; as she called it, to plow through her first week as the final word in the Concordia Parish School District.

&uot;My Concordia Parish upbringing and roots gives me the work ethic I need to do this,&uot; Laster said.