Administrative team selected for Storm Lake St. Mary

Storm Lake St. Mary School President Father Brent Lingle announced that Kate Swanson will serve as PreK-12 Principal for the school with new hires Amanda Woodall and Kathleen Besch to serve as assistant principals starting with the 2025-26 academic year. Longtime 6-12 Principal Ryan Berg will be moving to Bettendorf at the end of the current school year.

"Having oSwansonne person as the principal for our entire school system will help with consistency and unity within the school. Mrs. Swanson’s leadership over these past years as our preK-5 principal has been a blessing and her leadership of the entire building will help us move into the future as we continue to pursue inclusive learning for all students. I am grateful that Mrs. Swanson has accepted this new role, and I look forward to working with her as my closest collaborator in school administration as we move forward," Father Lingle said.

Woodall is currently a School Improvement Facilitator for Prairie Lakes AEA. Prior to that role she served as the principal of Sacred Heart Catholic WoodallSchool in Spencer from 2019-22. She had previously began teaching third grade at Sacred Heart in 2007 when she was a new teacher. She also helped with the planning and building of the early childhood center at Sacred Heart. Woodall, her husband Chris and three boys live on a farm near Sutherland.

Besch's role will also include serving as dean of students. She is currently the St. Mary director of student services and has recently completed her Beschadministrator licensure. Under her leadership the school will continue to implement our special education programming and grow in welcoming students with diverse learning backgrounds into St. Mary.  







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