LPS announces new principals at Goodrich, Rousseau and Yankee Hill

Lincoln Public Schools has named three new principals to schools where recent changes were announced earlier this year.

“These established leaders have proven through their service to be dedicated to the success of students,” said LPS Associate Superintendent for Instruction Matt Larson. “We know they will build upon the legacy already established in each building and continue the pursuit of excellence for their staff and students.”

Congratulations to the following:

• Goodrich Middle School: Brownell Elementary principal Kelly Apel returns to Goodrich Middle School to be the next principal following the retirement announcement of Kelly Schrad. Apel served as the associate principal at Goodrich from 2011 until she was named the principal at Brownell in 2017. She has also worked at Clinton Elementary as associate principal, and Park Middle School as instructional coordinator and teacher. Apel obtained her Masters of Education from Doane College, her Bachelor of Science in Education from Peru State College, and a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa.
  
  
• Rousseau Elementary School: Randolph Elementary principal Monica Jochum will be moving to Rousseau Elementary with the announcement of Wendy Badje’s retirement. Jochum has been the principal at Randolph since 2018, and has previously taught at Adams and Campbell elementary schools, as well as Ackerman Elementary in Millard.  She earned her Bachelor's degree, as well as her Master’s of Curriculum and Master’s in Education Leadership degrees from Doane.
  
  
• Yankee Hill Education Center: LPS Special Education supervisor Amanda (Hemenway) Shonka will be the next Yankee Hill principal following the retirement announcement of Laura Runge. Shonka moved to LPS Special Education in 2021 after serving as the assistant principal at Hill Elementary School since 2016. Prior to Hill, she was a Special Education coordinator at Schoo Middle School for three years, and taught there from 2009-2013. Shonka was also a paraeducator for four years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Doane University.

The administrators will begin their new duties July 1, 2023.

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