Larson chosen as next elementary principal

GREENFIELD — Nodaway Valley went within for its hire of a new elementary principal as James Larson was approved for the job by the school board at Thursday night’s meeting in the high school media center.

Larson is a 2007 Nodaway Valley graduate. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts in elementary education, with an endorsement in reading and coaching, from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City. He taught fifth grade at Clarke from 2011 to 2017 before he returned to teach at Nodaway Valley Middle School, where he has taught sixth grade English/Language Arts and has been a mentor teacher.

Larson is currently earning his Master’s Degree at Northwest Missouri State University and will have that program completed by the new school year beginning.

“I’m looking forward to working with our staff, students, parents and community,” Larson said. “I will focus on building relationships and learning procedures once hired. We have a great group of teachers at the elementary, and together we will help students become successful. I appreciate the opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”

Larson, who lives in Greenfield with his wife Teresa, who is also a middle school teacher here, will replace Connie Lundy, who announced she will be taking early retirement when the school board announced that incentive this winter.

As part of his promotion to being a building principal, Larson submitted his resignations as co-head coach of the boys basketball team, a sixth grade teacher and mentor teacher.

Other resignations approved by the board were Zack Leeper as high school physical education, Lori Wallace as a high school paraprofessional and Becky Tanner as the middle school head cook.

Other hires initiated include Sami Harris as high school physical education, Dan Jameson as head baseball coach, Trevor Jameson as assistant baseball coach, Jake Baudler as middle school baseball coach and Amy DeVault and Dani Klobnak as middle school softball coaches.