Dering delivers oceans of caring leadership as Cavett principal

October 16, 2025

Kathleen Dering’s humble approach to her principal duties at Cavett Elementary School has created ocean-sized amounts of trust and respect in the community.
 
Dering has been a steady source of encouragement for thousands of students during her meaningful 37-year career. She spent her first 17 years teaching third through eighth grades and began her 20th year as a principal this fall. She is being recognized during National Principals Month, which takes place across the United States each October.

 
Dering’s strong belief in helping others is the bedrock of her educational philosophy. She said it is essential to be a servant leader in every situation at school.
 
“Leadership is not about power or trying to control everything,” Dering said. “It’s about serving others and putting them first. If you have that willingness, everything else will fall into place.”
 
LPS Director of Elementary Education Gena Licata said Dering has been a role model for many people across Lincoln. She moved back to Nebraska 15 years ago to become principal at Beattie Elementary School. She spent two years at Beattie and nine years at Elliott before accepting the Cavett position.
 
“Kathleen exemplifies transformational leadership through her unwavering commitment to equity, student achievement and fostering collaborative school culture,” Licata said. “She leads with intention by using data to drive decisions, empowering teachers through shared leadership, and fostering a safe, inclusive environment grounded in restorative practices.”

 
Dering initially dove into marine biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, but she eventually followed the current of her family’s legacy into the field of education. Her mother was a high school teacher and university professor, and her father was a university professor and department chair.
 
The Wayne, Neb., native began her teaching career in the San Francisco area in 1989 and has worked at schools in California, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. She said those varied experiences have given her a wealth of knowledge on effectively connecting with people in many educational environments.
 
“It all comes back to the truth that families want the very best for their kids, no matter where you are,” Dering said. “Working in so many different communities helped me see that early on. Giving our best as educators to every family and every child is what makes our profession so meaningful. I’m always learning from those relationships and interactions.”
 
Even after earning a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Kansas early in her career, Dering chose to remain in the classroom for another decade before accepting her first principal role.
 
“I felt I needed to spend more time teaching before I transitioned into a leadership role, and I’m so glad I did,” Dering said.

 
Dering credits that delay with providing a broader foundation and knowledge of different grade levels, allowing her to better serve the entire community as a leader.
 
Licata said Dering helps Cavett families feel welcomed at school by being consistently present, supportive and engaged with everyone she meets. One example came four years ago when Cavett Parent-Teacher Organization leaders asked her if the school could begin hosting a science fair for students. She received positive feedback from parents and teachers about the idea, and the Cardinals began showcasing projects about microscopes, mountains and molecules later that year.
 
“Kathleen is reflective and deeply invested in both student success and teacher growth,” Licata said. “Her strong instructional leadership, clear communication and integrity have built high levels of trust across the Cavett community.”
 
Dering uses the same listening-first process with Cardinals inside the building as well. All Cavett students take a perception survey when they start classes each fall, which gives them the opportunity to express their feelings about being back in school. This helps administrators and teachers plan for lessons and class meetings that can address different strengths and needs at all grade levels.
 
Dering also spends a large amount of time listening to teachers. Those conversations have helped her keep a steady pulse on what is happening in Cavett’s classrooms. That awareness lets her come up with solutions that benefit everyone in the building.
 
“Getting teachers’ input on where we’re going academically, socially, behaviorally, as a school is really critical,” Dering said. “They’re the ones who are in the classroom on a daily basis, and it’s important to listen to what they’re saying.”

 
Dering said one of her favorite parts about being a principal is watching students and teachers experience success at school. She said those smiling moments have created an ocean-sized number of good memories during her career.
 
“It’s the smile on a student’s face, or talking with a teacher who has just tried something new and fun and is excited to share how it worked,” Dering said. “That just happened the other day. A teacher had just tried this new engagement activity with her class for science, and it was a hit. For me to be able to support them and celebrate their success – that’s the ultimate reward.”
 
Cavett staff members are helping hundreds of Cardinals create positive memories at school each week. Visit cavett.lps.org to learn more about the school and the numerous academic and social learning opportunities available to students.
 
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