HANCOCK — The incoming Copper Country Intermediate School District superintendent has several reasons to look forward to the job.

“I was excited to get back into the special education world, and also to provide services for the larger community,” said James Rautiola, currently the superintendent at Stanton Township Schools. “Having the opportunity to work with all of our local schools and the community, while looking at what services are needed and in continuing the good services that the CCISD has already begun.”

As education gets closer to normal for the coming school year, Rautiola said his priorities include building academic success and exploring social and emotional learning.

“We’re hoping that as we come through this, we’re stronger, we’ve developed those skills, and next school year will look much more normal than it did this school year,” he said. “There’s gonna definitely be some challenges as we move forward but I’m confident that by working together and collaborating with all of our schools and community stakeholders that we can be very successful.”

Rautiola sees one of the biggest challenges as expanding services opportunities in the community.

“Obviously the educational landscape has changed over the course of the last year, but I think it’s been very positive in many ways, as far as distance learning and allowing us to explore new opportunities as far as how to deliver education to students,” he said.

Rautiola has been involved with education for the past 18 years. He worked as a special education teacher for 11 years — seven in Lake Linden, four in Hancock — before becoming principal and superintendent at Stanton Township Schools in 2014.

“I really like to serve the community and kids,” he said when asked why he went into education. It just gives an opportunity to work with the community and work with students and help them chase their dreams.”

A Jeffers High School graduate, he went on to Northern Michigan University, where he graduated with a degree in elementary education and special education. He also holds a degree from Northern Michigan University in education administration and has taken Horizons administration classes.

Working on the administrative side helps him make an impact on a bigger level, Rautiola said.

“You can try to create purpose and make an impact on a more global level, while serving kids in the community,” he said.