Fossil Ridge High School has recently welcomed a new dean, taking the role of former dean Melissa Stapleton. Lindsay Chastain, who has already begun to make a strong impression on students and staff, began this role a little over a month ago. She has several years of experience, having been the dean at Rocky Mountain High School, and focuses on building relationships and connections within our school community.
“I’m just excited to be here,” Chastain said. “I hope students come talk to me so I can get to learn who they are.”
Outside of school, Chastain enjoys staying active by running, biking, and spending time with her family and her dog, Daisy. Students and staff may be surprised to learn that she completed a fire academy program before she chose her current career path.
Upon beginning her new role, Chastain split her time between Fossil and Rocky Mountain High School, now working here full-time. She says one of the biggest adjustments was learning the culture of Fossil.
“Everything feels different, so it’s really about learning the students, the families, and how everything works here,” she said. “You guys are really lucky to have the staff that you do– the teachers and counselors here are top-notch.”
Other staff members have noticed her quick transition into the role. Dean Brooks Ramsey, who works alongside Chastain, highlighted her ability to adapt to the new position, despite joining late in the school year. He explained how she can stay calm in difficult situations.
“It’s kind of hard to join a team late in the year, but she’s been doing awesome,” Ramsey said. “There were a couple of times where we had some challenging situations, and she was very calm and dealt with them really well.”
Secretary Alec Gordon described Chastain as someone ready to take initiative from day one. He recalled a time when Chastain handled a student conflict with control and fairness.
“She made sure both students felt heard and supported, while also holding them accountable,” he said. “It was one of those moments where I thought– she definitely knows what she’s doing.”
Chastain’s positive personality has also left a mark on staff. She is described as “organized”, “kind”, “vibrant”, “confident,”, and “compassionate”. As she continues settling into her role here at Fossil, Chastain’s clear focus is on supporting students, building trust, and becoming a part of the Fossil Ridge community.
“The well-being of kids always comes first,” Chastain said. “But I also want them to be their best selves, keeping themselves and others safe.”