LPS names new principals at three Lincoln schools

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Goodrich Middle School, Rousseau Elementary School and the Yankee Hill Education Center are getting new principals, Lincoln Public Schools announced Monday.

The schools will be led by Kelly Apel, Monica Jochum and Amanda Shonka, respectively.

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

Apel, who currently serves as the principal at Brownell Elementary, will take over at Goodrich.  She previously served as Goodrich’s associate principal from 2011 to 2017.

Randolph Elementary’s principal, Monica Jochum, will be moving to Rousseau.  She has been Randolph’s principal since 2018.

Amanda Shonka, LPS’s special education supervisor, will be the next principal at the Yankee Hill Education Center.  From 2016 to 2021, she worked as the assistant principal at Hill Elementary.

All three principals will begin their new duties on July 1.

The current principals – Kelly Schrad (Goodrich), Wendy Badje (Rousseau) and Laura Runge (Yankee Hill) – announced their retirement earlier this year.