Happy 10-year Anniversary Principal Koehne!

We are celebrating Principal Koehne’s ten year anniversary as principal at Grace Lutheran School.

Grace students and alumni created a video to celebrate Bill Koehne’s decade of service to Grace Lutheran School:

When asked about what he loves most about his job, Principal Koehne responded that greeting students in the morning is always a highlight for him.  He also loves being part of the fun during Lutheran School Week every year, even when it often involves wearing a ridiculous costume.  Over the past ten years, he has found ways to lead through listening.  He instituted a school leadership team consisting of teachers, and he established a positive rapport with both parents and the school board. 

While the pandemic was difficult for everyone, Grace students continued to thrive because of Principal Koehne’s vital leadership.  Early on, he created a Covid-task force consisting of medical experts. With the help of this task force, he efficiently transitioned teachers to remote learning, and established clear expectations for student etiquette during their class time at home. Soon after, he spent hours adjusting the placement of classrooms and the library to safely return to in-person learning.  

Mr. Koehne collaborated with teachers to offer differentiated teaching in math. In doing this, each teacher can dedicate more time to individualized instruction and meet students where they are at academically. These adjustments produced increased math MAP test scores – even during a pandemic! Grace is blessed by Mr. Koehne’s leadership.  He models a love of God to the parents, teachers, and students. 

Grace Lutheran School’s principal, Mr. Bill Koehne, was awarded the 2021 Evangelical Lutheran Education Association’s (ELEA) 2021 Elementary School Principal of the Year. The ELEA states, “this award recognizes and celebrates elementary and middle school principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, and character, and establish an exceptional climate for the students, families, and staff in their learning community. An ELEA Principal of the Year honoree must be an active principal at a school with programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and with firmly established systems for community engagement with parents and local business organizations”.

Principal Koehne will officially be recognized at the 2022 ELEA National Administrator & Pastor Conference. More details can be found in the ELEA press release.