SALISBURY — In her life, Lauren Raper has moved from one end of Rowan County to the other. Originally from China Grove, the 34-year-old will begin the school year as Hanford-Dole Elementary’s new principal.

Though she graduated from South Rowan, Raper “put down roots in Spencer” and has spent the past several years as an assistant principal at North Rowan High School.

Living in the same community as many of her students influenced and strengthened the relationships she had with them, she said — it gave her an opportunity to “be a part of the fabric of their lives.”

“You would see your kids all the time,” she said.

This will be Raper’s first time as a teacher or administrator in an elementary school — but while the “nuts and bolts” are different, Raper said she believed her relationship with students would be the same.

“I think kids are kids no matter what level they’re at. They need to know someone knows their name. They need to know someone cares about them,” she said.

The biggest change between the two, she said she’d been told, was the number of hugs she’d receive.

Raper took over at Hanford-Dole in the middle of the summer, and said she’s already been impressed by the level of dedication she’s seen in the school’s teachers.

“I don’t think some of them have gone home,” she said laughing.

But more than that, Raper said that there was a family feel to the school.

“This is a home,” she said.

Raper said she wants to learn and observe in her new role, first, but hopes to steer the school towards focusing on more individualized education and build on the authenticity of student work — showing children how they can impact their future and their community. Above all, she wants parents to know that she has an open-door policy.

“I want them to know that the school is here to serve them as much as they are here to serve the school,” she said.

Raper received her undergraduate from N.C. State University, and a master’s in history from N.C. State University and a master’s in administration from Western Carolina University. She lives in Spencer with her husband and two children, ages 3 and 1.