When a friend learned that Dr. Cari Maneen had recently been named as principal at the Saluda School, she beamed broadly, and announced with joy, “She was my daughter’s favorite teacher!”

Maneen officially took over as principal at the beginning of the new school year, but actually began working in July, to be ready for the new academic year.

Maneen, originally from upstate New York, who taught at the Saluda School for 12 years, jokingly referred to herself as “the new Ronette,” referencing Ronette Dill, the outgoing principal who was promoted to a position in the Polk County Schools administration office in Columbus.

Possibly the most difficult task for Maneen is to not smile.

Whether discussing her new responsibilities, interacting with some of the school’s younger students, or gushing about why she loves being where she is and doing what she’s doing, she apparently never quits smiling.

“I was a teacher here (at Saluda School) for 12 years,” Maneen remarked. “I was working on my administration degree, and I got that, and my doctorate. I was working very closely with Ronette.” Maneen received her master’s degree from Western Carolina University, and her administrative license and doctorate from Gardner-Webb University.

When Dill was promoted and her position opened, Maneen applied for it. Her previous experience at the school, along with filling in for Dill at times, helped her move into the principal spot.

It’s been a very easy transition, according to Maneen. Along with her experience and her degree in administration, she observed that her peers seeing her in a leadership position helped.

The Saluda School, Maneen noted, is one of only 50 A-plus arts integrated schools in North Carolina. It also helped Maneen’s rise to the principal position that her dissertation was on arts integration.

“My plans this year are to get the students more involved in the community,” Maneen said. That means getting the students out to learn more about their community, including the businesses and other people who make Saluda what it is.

Maneen notes that the service learning project’s goal is “to learn the art of giving.” A survey taken of local merchants has been completed. Town officials, Maneen reported, have been very helpful.

Slogans and photographs will be part of the project, helping to keep students motivated to learn about their own roots and the town’s history. Maneen wishes to see students employ Saluda’s resources.

The long term goal is to have students appreciate where they live and Maneen said she wants to bring the older generation and the younger generation together.

Recent classes have visited M.A. Pace General Store and the Saluda Historic Railroad Depot.

This year’s theme is TEAM Saluda: Past, Present and Future. TEAM is an acronym for Together Everyone Achieves More.

“I live this school,” she beamed. “It was an easy transition. The teachers were supportive, and the parents were extremely supportive. I feel very fortunate and grateful.”

Her communication with the school administrative office has convinced Maneen that “you couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with.”

Maneen conducts herself in a whirlwind of activity, spending lots of time in administration, and lots visiting with students. Recently, she sat in on a Pre-K reading class, among youngsters captivated by the teacher’s storytelling.

High among Maneen’s challenges is “just getting whatever I put on my list at the beginning off the day, scratched off.” Another is finding a balance between paperwork and being among the students.

The key is organization, said Maneen and substituting for former Principal Dill provided real-time experience and skills.

“Every single day, I’ve had a smile on my face,” she beamed again. “I really love this position. I can’t see myself doing anything else.”

“My first goal was to learn every child’s name by the end of the first week,” she said. Her first week success rate was a bit shy of the goal, but after all, it’s difficult to put names with 163 faces, while bearing down on long term goals.

At the end of the day, and probably every day, Maneen will still be smiling.

“It’s a sweet little school, and lots of history.”