By Ryan Spoehr
SLN staff
The vacancy of leading the ship at Whitewater High School has been filled with someone with nearly two decades worth of experience in education.
Mike Lovenberg, who had been associate principal at Wisconsin Dells Middle School, will step into the principal role at the High School. The announcement was made via a press release by District Administrator Mark Elworthy on June 14.
“I think, first and foremost, it’s a good fit for my skillset. It has been my desire to get back into high school,” Lovenberg said.
Lovenberg spent 12 years in the Madison Metropolitan School. He taught advanced placement courses and was a dean later on. He served as the interim assistant principal at Madison East High School for a time.
“He’s had a lot of leadership experience in curriculum,” Elworthy said. “His ability to work with students and staff certainly stood out.”
For the past four years, he served in the associate principal role in Wisconsin Dells on the middle school level.
It’s his desire, Lovenberg said, to treat everyone as an individual because everyone comes from different backgrounds and different people may different and valuable parts to the puzzle, particularly in a school district.
“We all have our similarities and differences, but we have to treat everyone as individuals. Everyone is their own person and you have to recognize that,” Lovenberg said.
“I think I can pride myself in the way I’ve worked with students. I’m always asking for the best from students,” Lovenberg added.
It’s all about serving a greater purpose, he said.
“I want to make a difference,” Lovenberg said.
Lovenberg comes to the area from central Wisconsin, an area that has had rising poverty in recent years. He said he wants to use that experience to be compassionate to different situations as needed.
“Based on poverty or whatever, we have to make sure we are dealing with the building blocks to get them (students) to be successful,” Lovenberg said.
Within hours of the announcement was made that Lovenberg would takeover as principal, he had phone calls and emails welcoming him to Whitewater, and that everyone has been friendly, he said.
Lovenberg said he understands that the recent history of the high school principal role has come with high praise, but wants to work with staff members to continue the positive experience for students, staff and administrators.
“I have big shoes to fill, so I just want to learn and do the job,” Lovenberg said.
Lovenberg has already shown his family around the area so they can familiarize themselves with the area.
“I love it. I am definitely attracted to the area,” Lovenberg said. “The vibe is very much in tune with what I expect.”
As far as the high school, that is in tune with what he prefers as well.
“The size of the school is manageable to give an individual learning experience,” Lovenberg said. “I want to make a difference. I want to make an impact on a bigger scope, but on a smaller size.”
Entering the position, Lovenberg said he was attracted to the principal role because of the school’s success in both academics and athletics, and believes Whitewater has a “top notch” school” that is “very successful.”
Since becoming introduced to the district and the high school, Lovenberg said he has seen what he believes is a good staff.
“Going into the position, I just want to learn. I want to observe the honors and traditions,” Lovenberg said. “Slowly and surely as I settle in, I can use things that I have learned over my career.”
