Dear Dakota Middle School Community,
I am pleased to announce that I will recommend that the Rochester School Board appoint Teri Linander as the next lead principal of Dakota Middle School. Teri is currently an assistant principal at Kellogg Middle School in Rochester, where she has served with distinction since 2017. Before her tenure at Kellogg, Teri was an instructional coach and English teacher in Rochester Public Schools. She's also taught in Stillwater, MN, and Columbia Heights, MN. Teri will begin her new role on July 1, pending School Board approval. She received her master's at Hamline University and principalship licensure from Winona State University
We listened closely to what the Dakota Middle School community said it needs and wants in its next leader. I am confident that Teri Linander will be a fantastic fit for the school as it moves beyond its first two years of operation to become a mature and thriving middle school program.
Please join me in welcoming Teri to the Dakota family.
Sincerely,
Kent Pekel, Ed.D.
Superintendent