Moving Across the World — NorthStar Navigator

by Aaron Cady

**African savanna in Kenya** by **Kyslynskyy** **from** **Getty Images Pro**
**Created in Canva**

Mr. Daniel Cooley has been the director of NorthStar Academy for the past six years. During that whole time, he has lived in Southaven, Mississippi. NorthStar is a part of the Network of International Christian Schools, also known as NICS. This organization has its campus in Southaven as well. However, Mr. Cooley will be moving across the world to Nairobi, Kenya, to become the principal of a middle school. “Originally, I was slated to go to Turkey to head up a NICS school there,” Mr. Cooley said, “but through a series of events that only God could orchestrate, we had a change of plans and instead will be heading to Kenya for the Principal position.” Mr. Cooley says that his passion is for the principal role, where he can work directly with teachers on a day-to-day basis.

Moving overseas is not a new experience for him. “Prior to coming to NorthStar, we were at another NICS school in Indonesia, so we have lived overseas in a developing country before which has helped prepare us for the experiences that we will have going to Kenya,” he said. When Mr. Cooley moved to Indonesia, he had to learn a new language. That won’t be necessary for this move, because English is spoken in Kenya. Swahili is also a major language in the country. Kenya is located on the Equator and is in the Eastern region of Africa. It is famous for its beautiful wildlife and magnificent scenery. It is bordered by Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria.

Mr. Cooley also has experience as a middle school principal, and his first school leadership position was as a middle school principal in Alaska. “This is going back to a job that I have done before and that I love,” Mr. Cooley said. Unfortunately, Mr. Cooley will be leaving NorthStar, but he will still be a part of NICS. “While I have very much enjoyed my time as the Director of NorthStar, I am ready to be back in a Principal position where I am working directly with teachers and students on a daily basis,” he said. Mr. Cooley signed an initial contract for two years, but he does not have a definitive timeline. “We will be there for at least two years, but probably much longer.” Mr. Cooley said. “We just desire to follow the Lord and stay as long as He is directing us.”

Aaron Cady is a junior at NorthStar and has been part of the school for five years. He has written for the Navigator for two years. Aaron loves writing, sports, and any mixtures of the two. Aaron hopes to pursue a career in writing or journalism when he graduates.