Walbaum spends each morning greeting students as they walk into the doors of G-CHS. Some may get tired of his persistence to chit chat, he admits, but he’d rather show that he cares.
Dan Walbaum chuckles as he remembers the first day of school.
The new principal of Greenfield-Central High School was asked by several freshmen, “Do you know where this is?”
A newbie himself, Walbaum had a choice: pass them off to someone with years of experience at Greenfield’s high school, or figure it out himself.
“You know what? I don’t know; let’s go find it together,” he would say.
Working with students and staff to find out what G-CHS is all about has been the theme of Walbaum’s first weeks as leader of the school.
A lifelong resident and educator from West Lafayette, Walbaum has become a Cougar quickly, stepping into the community with humility and an earnest desire to learn more.
Walbaum spends each morning greeting students as they walk into the doors of G-CHS. Some may get tired of his persistence to chit chat, he admits, but he’d rather show that he cares.
A father of two grown children, Walbaum says building relationships is the first step in building trust. That includes trust with parents, staff and students alike.
Walbaum is an athlete and former coach who enjoys mingling with high schoolers about the game last night, or telling them he’s looking forward to watching their musical performance next weekend.
Walbaum loved school growing up, and was fortunate to have positive role models in his teachers, coaches and parents.
“The sad reality is that many students do not have that type of home situation, nor do they enjoy school the way I did,” Walbaum said. “So it becomes even more important for us as adults to be a positive and supportive part of the lives of our students. Simple things like saying, ‘Hi,’ learning names, asking about classes, sports, music and activities can go a long way toward a sense of belonging.”
Walbaum worked for West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School for 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. He was associate principal from 2008-2024.
Being in a building that holds only high school students is one big difference between the school corporations. Walbaum is impressed with the variety of extracurricular activities G-CHS has to offer, as well as classes that were minimal or nonexistent at his last school, such as broadcasting, FFA and vocational programs. The construction of the new auditorium is thrilling, he added.
But what really drew him to the community was the sense of pride in the school. During the interview process, three students gave him a tour. He also met the last two principals, Jason Cary and Steve Bryant. He heard that this is the best job he’ll ever have, and he fully believes it now.
“Those three examples show how much people respect and appreciate what we have here,” he said. “They aren’t just making up these feelings. This place is good and getting better. I look forward to being a part of it for years to come.”
Walbaum’s hobbies include training for triathlons, and reading books on history. His passion is attending high school sporting events and extracurricular activities.
Walbaum was impressed with the reception of the recent Rachel’s Challenge anti-bullying program, and is looking forward to a wave of kindness sweeping the school. Kids are inherently kind, he says.
He is also working on building relationships and trust with teachers and the three assistant principals.
“I hope my greatest strength is an attitude of empathy,” he said. “For this to be an excellent school, it needs to be a place where students feel welcomed and valued. The adults who work here need to feel that way for the students to feel that way. Empathy is the foundation for the success of any school or organization.”
Walbaum recently moved to Greenfield and is enjoying his new community. Walking through the halls with dress shoes and quirky character socks, Walbaum said it takes time to build relationships but he’s in for the long haul. That’s especially true when it comes to teachers.
G-C Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said Walbaum is a servant leader– no job is too big or small for him. Humble and patient, Walbaum has been getting to know the high school community and wants to know what can be done well and what areas can be improved upon.
“I’m their supporter,” he said. “I work with them. It’s my job to help them to be the best teachers possible.”
“Mr. Walbaum certainly has a calming presence,” Olin said. “You know he is listening to you, and he sincerely wants to help everyone have a great school experience. I have been very impressed with his commitment to spending time with students, staff and parents.”
Cary, now the assistant superintendent of the school corporation, said he values the friendship he has been able to build with Walbaum in a short time. Just a phone call away, Walbaum isn’t shy about asking for advice but at the same time often makes his own decisions.
“There is a quiet confidence in him that I really admire,” Cary said. “He is someone who isn’t afraid to say he doesn’t know something, and that humility will serve him well.”
Cary added that Walbaum has done a great job assimilating to the community so quickly – it seems like he’s everywhere, and students and staff appreciate that.
“Mr. Walbaum is such a great role model for these kids, and he is someone who cares about him and works hard to give them every opportunity to be successful. We are lucky to have him.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
Walbaum said, “Rode 66 miles this morning but tonight’s bike ride was even better because it was with my favorite girl. Having dinner with both kids made for a pretty good Father’s Day!”
