The alarm clock has been waking Mark Yoder for a good part of the past 30 years to remind him he’s needed at West Noble. Get dressed, process his thoughts, head to campus, and adjust to a new day of challenges and situations. As Yoder progressed from teaching to building leadership as a principal at West Noble Elementary, he took on those engagements with his students, staff and families one at a time. It kept Yoder getting out bed each morning, but now he has a new purpose as retirement is just days away for the longtime elementary principal.
“To me, retirement is less of an ending and more of a transition into a new chapter of life,” Yoder said. “I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to learn new things, explore new experiences, and spend more time doing things I enjoy. I hope to travel more, invest time in my hobbies and interests, and simply enjoy a little more flexibility each day. As for the alarm clock—I’m not quite ready to throw it away, but I’m looking forward to not needing it quite as much!”
Yoder spent the past 21 years as principal at West Noble Elementary, no two days the same. He mentioned there are so many highlights over that span of time, but one recent goal the building set as a unit was perhaps the most memorable.
“One that stands out happened during the 2024-25 school year,” began Yoder. “In the fall, we set a goal to improve our IREAD-3 scores by 12.6 points. It was an ambitious goal, but our staff and students believed we could achieve it. We made adjustments to our instructional practices, worked hard throughout the year, and stayed focused on the goal. When the results arrived in May, we had improved by exactly 12.6 points. The excitement and pride throughout the building were incredible. We celebrated together, and our school board members even brought treats for the students. Watching our teachers and students accomplish something they had worked so hard for was one of the proudest and most memorable moments of my career.”
Yoder also pointed to his thoughts about legacy, which he admits is something that crept into his mind as his retirement announcement was made this past year. But rather than trying to instill new angles and self-centered demands as the school year ended, Yoder instead focused on what made his job enjoyable for the past two-plus decades as principal.
“West Noble Elementary will always be a part of who I am,” Yoder stated. “The relationships I've built, the memories we've created, and the countless experiences shared with students, staff, and families will stay with me forever. While I'm retiring, WNE will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Yoder noted his confidence in Jen Duncan taking over his chair for the 2026-27 school year, as Duncan has been side-by-side with him for more than a decade in administration. The addition of Danielle Sitts to the assistant principal role adds another longtime West Noble educator to the team that should have the school in very capable hands going forward.
“I have no doubt that Mrs. Duncan will thrive as principal,” Yoder said. “She served as Assistant Principal for 14 years, so she knows the school, the staff, and the community extremely well. More importantly, she is a strong leader who genuinely cares about students and believes in the mission of West Noble Elementary. She has been an important part of our success for many years, and I am confident she will continue to lead the school forward in positive ways. WNE is in very capable hands.”
Yoder may still use that alarm clock to get up in the morning, maybe just to stay in rhythm, or maybe to get ready for a new adventure. But Yoder feels good about all the years he woke up and served West Noble Elementary and its community. Perhaps deserving of a few mornings to sleep in.