KEARNEY, Neb. — A celebrated educator from within Kearney Public Schools will be the next principal at Kenwood Elementary.

KPS announced on Monday that Michelle Dutcher will start as principal in August. She replaces Jill Clevenger, who is retiring after 19 years as principal.

Dutcher has worked most recently as a fifth-grade teacher at Buffalo Hills Elementary. In that role, she earned the KPS Outstanding Educator award in 2022. The district selected her for ASCEND Academy in April, which is a principal and administrator training program run by the three Tri-Cities public school districts.

“We are lucky to have Michelle step forward to take on the challenge and we look forward to supporting her in our continued quest of providing Kenwood students and families a top-notch educational experience,” Superintendent Jason Mundorf said in a statement.

In her 18-year career, Dutcher has also worked as a learning facilitator at Stolley Park Elementary in Grand Island and as a sixth-grade English teacher at Sunrise Middle School. 

"It's an honor to be selected as the Principal of Kenwood Elementary. I am beyond excited to be a part of this exceptional team,” Dutcher said. “I am excited to build on the legacy of Jill Clevenger and committed to enhancing the educational experience for every student at Kenwood."

Dutcher holds a Bacherlor’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane College and a School Principal Endorsement from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.