PELLA — Pella Community School District is excited to announce the hiring of the first Director of the Early Childhood Center, expected to open in the fall of 2024. Sarah Kuennen, long-time staff member at Pella Schools and the current Instructional Coach at Madison Elementary, has accepted the role as the leader of this exciting new center for the youngest in our community. 

Sarah has been with the Pella School District since 2009. She taught 5th grade for seven years and has been a Preschool – 3rd Grade Instructional Coach for the district for the past 7 years. She grew up in Lake Mills, Iowa and attended Wartburg College. Sarah obtained her Masters Degree in Teacher Effectiveness and Professional Development from Drake University in 2012. She will receive her Principal Endorsement from Northwestern this August. Sarah is married to Nick Kuennen and they reside in Pella with their four kids: Brynn (8), Carew (6), Elle (3), and Wren (8 months). 

“As a passionate educator as well as a mother of four young children, I’m excited about the impact that the Pella Early Childhood Center can have on families in our community. Not only will this be an exceptional place for kids to learn, but I’m excited about the opportunity to partner with and equip parents with tools and resources to help our young children thrive outside the walls of school. I am honored for the chance to work alongside our preschool staff to make this Early Childhood Center all that it can be!” 

  – Sarah Kuennen, Early Childhood Director

“We are very pleased that Sarah has accepted this new role in our district. She has been providing great leadership at the elementary level and now will turn her focus to early childhood.  It has been exciting to see the growth in Sarah over the last several years. She is just what the district needs in a new leader.”

– Greg Ebeling, Superintendent of Pella Schools