LPS announces five new principals for 2025-2026 school year

February 7, 2025

As part of the annual hiring process, Lincoln Public Schools announced the new principals at five schools for the 2025-2026 school year. 

“We are proud to have such qualified leaders who put students and staff at the center of their mission,” said Sarah Salem, Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. “We know they will build upon the strengths and traditions already in place and will share their expertise and passion to help each school thrive.”

Dawes Middle School

Current Dawes assistant principal Nancy Salsman will be the principal next school year.

Salsman joined Dawes in 2012, first as a special education coordinator until she became the assistant principal in 2018. Salsman was a speech-language pathologist for 12 years prior to joining Dawes. 

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, master’s degree in communication disorders from the University of South Dakota and an educational specialist degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Lefler Middle School

Michele Suiter has been named the next principal for Lefler Middle School. She is currently a high school principal in the Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Washington. Prior to taking on that principal role, she served as junior high and high school principal for four years in Puyallup, Washington. Her extensive teaching experience includes teaching in elementary bilingual classrooms at both San Jose Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District in California. 

Suiter earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University, and a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix.

Holmes Elementary School

Current Holmes assistant principal Michelle Reinke will be the principal next school year.

Reinke joined the Holmes team as assistant principal in 2023. Prior to joining Holmes, she served as an instructional coordinator at Eastridge Elementary from 2017-2023 and special education coordinator at Prescott Elementary from 2014-2017. Reinke was a special education teacher at Riley from 2004-2014. 

Reinke has earned her bachelor’s degree from Nebraska Wesleyan, and a master’s degree from Concordia University in Seward. 

Humann Elementary School

Current Humann special education coordinator Laura Heller will be the principal at Humann next school year.

Heller is a special education coordinator and joined the Humann staff in 2022. Prior to joining Humann, she taught at Pershing Elementary and in Litchfield Park, Arizona. 

Heller has earned her bachelor’s degree and two masters’ degrees from Doane University.  

McPhee Elementary School

Current McPhee interim principal Theresa Haack will remain as principal at McPhee next fall.

Haack returned to McPhee in January after serving as the assistant principal at Arnold Elementary School since 2019. Prior to Arnold, she was the instructional coach at McPhee for two years. Haack started teaching at Lincoln Public Schools in 2008 and taught at Elliott and Sheridan elementary schools. 

Haack earned her bachelor, master and doctorate degrees from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 

All of the new principals will work with the current principals on a transition plan this spring. Each will start their new duties officially on July 1.

 

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