Ryan Erickson has built a strong sense of purpose at Randolph Elementary School by relying on the cornerstones of trust, respect and service to others.
Erickson is shaping a positive environment for all Roadrunners in his role as school principal. He is being recognized for his work during National Principals Month, which takes place across the United States each October.
Erickson said his classroom time at Kooser Elementary School is a blueprint for his management style at Randolph. He taught third and fifth grades there before transferring his leadership skills into the administration realm. Today, his goal is to guide Randolph with the same amount of care and compassion that he and other Kodiaks received at Kooser.
“I think it’s worth remembering that we get into this job to help others,” Erickson said. “I firmly believe that it’s all about servant leadership. First and foremost, it’s about remembering what it’s like to be in the classroom, and then it’s doing everything possible to support our staff to ensure they have everything they need to be successful.”
LPS Director of Elementary Education Gena Licata said that selfless attitude is why Erickson has excelled in his position. She said he has displayed a sincere commitment to building strong ties with everyone in the Randolph community. Those connections have led to many positive outcomes for both children and adults.
“Ryan has cultivated a culture where trust, collaboration and growth are at the center of the school community,” Licata said. “He takes time to know his staff, students and families, and those relationships are evident in the positive culture he has fostered at Randolph.”
Erickson grew up in Wisconsin and attended St. Cloud State University in south-central Minnesota. He began his collegiate career as a sports management major, but he switched to elementary education after remembering how his teachers in Wisconsin had impacted him.
Erickson arrived in Nebraska in 2010 after a chance encounter with Lincoln Public Schools representatives in Minneapolis. He noticed that LPS had set up a human resources booth at a job fair there, and that curiosity led to a conversation with former Kooser administrator Ann Jablonski. She later offered him a third grade teaching job after conducting a formal interview in Lincoln.
Erickson said Jablonski showed him the value of developing strong relationships throughout a school building.
“Students need to have that with their teachers, and teachers need to have that with the administrators they work with,” Erickson said. “She really had the mindset when she was building her staff that she wanted people who enjoyed coming to work every single day and wanted to do what was best for kids. That was something that was very evident.”
Erickson served as a building coordinator at Norwood Park Elementary School before accepting an assistant principal job at Randolph in 2018. That gave him the chance to work with former principal Monica Jochum, who now leads the staff at Rousseau Elementary School.
“It was such a pleasure working with Ryan!” Jochum said. “What stands out most to me is his calm, nurturing presence with students. In every conversation and decision, Ryan always kept what was best for students at the heart of his work. His genuine care for students made a lasting impact, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside him.”
Erickson spent five years as assistant principal before taking the helm at Randolph in 2023. He said he enjoys working with people throughout the neighborhood. He is grateful for the support local residents provide the Roadrunners every day.
“Our school is the hub of the community,” Erickson said. “Anything that we have here, the community shows up. There are parents here, there are students here. There are members of the community who don’t have kids going to Randolph anymore, but they come here because they enjoy being at our building and helping others. It’s an amazing place.”
Those engaging actions have fostered many academic achievements throughout the building. Randolph is participating in a pilot program for a new district math curriculum this year, and Erickson has spent extra time helping teachers create successful math lessons. Licata said those efforts have not gone unnoticed.
“He has invested in understanding the curriculum alongside his teachers, providing intentional support that helps teachers strengthen their instruction and feel confident in their practice,” Licata said. “Through classroom visits, thoughtful feedback and meaningful conversations, he supports teachers while helping them continue to grow.”
Erickson said it is rewarding to watch the Roadrunners blossom as they move from kindergarten to fifth grade.
“Our primary job is making sure that students are learning every single day,” Erickson said. “I want our students to become well-rounded individuals who are able to leave our building with the skills that they’ll use to contribute positively to our community.”
Licata said Erickson’s servant-hearted approach to education is the cornerstone of his success at Randolph.
“Ryan’s leadership is making a difference at Randolph,” Licata said. “His genuine investment in people, commitment to students and willingness to learn alongside his staff continue to make Randolph a special place for students, staff and families.”
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