Just like the 1970s television sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter,” a graduate from Oconto Falls High School has been welcomed back.
Steven Linssen graduated from OFHS in 1998 and has recently been hired by the Oconto Falls School District to serve as high school principal.
“This is definitely a homecoming type of event for me,” Linssen said. “The educators, which were here at that time, had a huge impact on my decision to begin a career in education.”
After graduating high school, Linssen attended UW-Green Bay where he majored in political science and minored in secondary education. Linssen then attended Marian University and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Linssen’s career began in the Shawano School District, where he taught social studies at Shawano Community Middle School for nine years.
“I took on different leadership roles as a teacher and then was given the opportunity to serve as the high school assistant principal for two years,” Linssen said.
Linssen also has experience serving at other local school districts.
“I was the principal for grades 6-12 in Gillett for four years, the high school assistant principal in Pulaski for seven years, and last year I had the opportunity of going to Marinette High School to take on the principalship,” Linssen said.
Linssen’s experience at four school districts will be a strong asset toward a successful school year at Oconto Falls High School.
“Having multiple experiences, seeing what other districts are doing will help me meet the challenges that come with high school education,” Linssen said. “I think one of the biggest challenges is having programming that meets everyone’s needs, there’s not a one-size-fits-all.”
Linssen said that he is interested in “building connections that will lead to greater student success,” and would like to utilize “connections with business and trades for youth apprenticeship.”
“Oconto Falls is a great community. It’s a community that has continued to support its schools,” Linssen said. “I look forward to carrying on that tradition in this role as principal.”
