Gary Czapla, currently principal of Culler Middle School, will serve as the first principal of the new Marilyn Moore Middle School, which opens next fall for the 2017-18 school year.
Steve Joel, superintendent of Lincoln Pubic Schools, made the announcement Monday: “We are excited to have Dr. Czapla as principal of our newest middle school. He is a proven leader of innovation as it relates to improving teaching and learning for all students. As a pilot school for the district technology plan, Culler was instrumental in helping determine the ‘do's and don’ts’ of a large-scale rollout. His belief that students need to be inspired to learn through creative engagement will serve as the backbone for a 21st century school that will emphasize creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.”
Jane Stavem, associate superintendent for Instruction at LPS, said: "Dr. Czapla is a great fit for Marilyn Moore Middle School and brings both the experience needed to open a new school, and the energy for creating new opportunities in our newest learning spaces.”
Czapla has been principal at Culler for seven years – and previously served as principal at the Bryan Community High School Program, associate principal at Lincoln Southeast High School, and instructional coordinator and team leader at Bryan.
In a message to Culler parents today, Czapla wrote: “Culler has been my family in many ways over the past 7 years and I have the greatest admiration for all of you. You have all treated me with the utmost kindness and caring and I will always be grateful for what each of you has given me. However the chance to open a brand new middle school is an opportunity that only comes around once in a great while and I felt I needed to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Czapla earned his Bachelor’s, Master of Education and Doctorate of Education degrees all at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Published: October 24, 2016, Updated: October 24, 2016