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Winona Area Public Schools

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Warneke named principal at WSHS

A graphic saying congratulations to Winona Senior High School principal Nathan Warneke

For the past three years, Nathan Warneke has worked as assistant principal at Winona Senior High School to develop and inspire a culture that is centered around making students feel right at home. 

Thanks to a recent promotion, he’ll get a chance to not just continue that work, but also help build the academic opportunities for students to grow into the person they were meant to be. 

Warneke was approved by the school board on Tuesday night as the next WSHS principal. His promotion will officially happen on July 1, but the work is already well underway. 

“I became an educator because I wanted to have a part in shaping kids in becoming the people they will choose to be,” Warneke said. “I have always believed that students will remember us based on how we treated them in their best moments, their most challenging moments, and their most vulnerable moments, and that those reactions will in part shape who they become.”

Warneke taught in Lake City and Zumbrota-Mazeppa before joining WAPS and WSHS as an assistant principal in 2022. Over the last three years, he’s been a part of crucial initiatives to improve both the academic and overall school experience for students. 

“During his time as assistant principal, Nathan has demonstrated a commitment to our students, staff and families in improving the culture at Winona Senior High School,” Superintendent Brad Berzinski said. “He will continue to build on the great work that is already taking place, and we’re excited for the future under his leadership.”

Warneke replaces Luke Madsen, who resigned to accept a principal position at Logan High School in La Crosse. 

Warneke and Madsen worked closely to improve the student experience in many ways at WSHS. Warneke said he’s excited to continue to develop new electives, particularly in Career and Technical Education fields that provide students with a career pathway focus to get them thinking about life after graduation. 

Warneke is also dedicated to making WSHS a place where students feel welcomed inside and outside the classroom. 

“We’ve done a lot of work creating opportunities for students to get involved in our school community and finding a space where they feel like they belong,” he said. “I plan to continue to build that sense of community and ensure that WSHS is a place where everyone knows they are valued.”

A search for Warneke’s replacement as assistant principal is underway.