Kroll creates numerous ways for Navigators to succeed as principal

October 23, 2025

The common denominator of Megan Kroll’s career at North Star High School has been her love for students, staff and the community she daily serves.
 
The former math teacher and department chair is now in her fourth year leading hundreds of Navigators as school principal. The Lincoln Public Schools graduate was part of the first group of teachers who opened North Star’s campus more than two decades ago, and she has remained a guiding force in the lives of many Navigators. She is being recognized during National Principals Month, which takes place across the United States each October.

 
Kroll said she enjoys coming to work each day at North Star. She has held roles as a math teacher, math department chair, instructional coordinator, associate principal and principal during her time on North 33rd Street.
 
“I’m just fortunate to be the principal of North Star High School,” Kroll said. “The students, the staff, the community are all amazing, and it’s truly like a family here. The fact I’ve gotten to be here for 23 years is incredible. I feel very fortunate to be part of this community and to get to work with everybody here.”

 
LPS Director of Secondary Education Jess Fries said Kroll has impacted North Star families in many long-lasting ways. She said her deep roots at the school have given her the ability to make key decisions about a wide array of subjects.
 
“Megan has spent her entire career at North Star, growing from a dedicated teacher into a strategic, student-centered school leader,” Fries said. “Her deep understanding of the school and its community informs everything she does. Known for her thoughtful and reflective leadership, Megan actively listens to staff and uses their feedback to drive meaningful, forward-focused change.”
 
Kroll grew up in Lincoln and attended Huntington Elementary School, Mickle Middle School and Northeast High School. She attended Northwest Missouri State University on a volleyball scholarship and initially majored in computer management systems. Her career ambitions changed after she spent time coaching students at a summer camp with former Northeast volleyball coach Sandi Genrich.
 
“I loved working with the students and the kids,” Kroll said. “I loved seeing them be successful and work through adverse situations when something seemed hard. I realized I didn’t want to sit at a desk my whole life. I wanted to be with kids and see them achieve and do well. And so, by the beginning of sophomore year I had already switched my major to education. It was the right fit for me.”

 
Kroll said she is standing on the shoulders of many trusted mentors who have helped her. Nancy Becker was North Star’s first principal and spent 32 years in her distinguished teaching and administrative career at LPS. Former North Star principals Vann Price and Ryan Zabawa are now the associate superintendent for human resources and director of student services at LPS, and former assistant principals Mike Gillotti and Sue Cassata are now the LPS associate superintendent for educational services and Standing Bear High School principal.
 
“I had the greatest leaders in this building,” Kroll said. “I had literally the best leaders in this building to help guide who I am as a leader now.”
 
After obtaining her master’s degree, Kroll spent time helping both students and co-workers as a teacher and administrator. She created behavior plans, taught algebra blocks, prepared professional learning sessions and built a strong network of friends in the building. Fries said the teamwork skills she refined in those roles are evident in her current position.
 
“She leads with collaboration, engaging staff, families and colleagues in shared goals for student success,” Fries said. “Through intentional professional learning and a strong culture of teamwork, Megan empowers the North Star staff to continuously improve in ways that truly support every North Star student.”

 
Kroll has made it a priority to talk with Navigators in the hallways and classrooms each day. After visiting a chemistry class one morning, she spoke with excitement about one student who had compiled several strong academic achievements. She said those types of happy conversations are a prime reason why she enjoys her job.
 
“The key to North Star is that it’s all about relationships and working together as a community,” Kroll said. “It’s our students, our staff and the community as a whole. That was established from the very beginning by Nancy Becker, and that’s something that has remained.”
 
Kroll said her top goal is to help create a positive environment for all Navigators to flourish in, whether that is in classrooms, on concert stages or at community events. She said the confidence they gain from feeling valued at school is integral to the victories they experience every day.
 
“I love watching them succeed in all avenues,” Kroll said. “It could be in the classroom, in our activities, our unified program, our athletics, our theater, our music. I love watching kids succeed and do things that they love, and along the way find things that they didn’t know that they could love and be good at. It’s an amazing feeling to see that happen.”
 
North Star staff members are leading hundreds of Navigators on successful life pathways every day. Visit lns.lps.org to learn more about the school and the many academic and social learning opportunities that are available for students.
 
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