We are excited to welcome several new members to the Al Kennedy team this year. Each brings unique experience and skills, but most importantly, they bring a commitment to helping our students find success and build a future they are excited about.

Please help me welcome them to AKHS!

Ben Larson –

CTE Agriculture/Plant Science Teacher & Conservation Corps Leader. Ben brings experience as a high school math teacher and holds a CTE license in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. He has expertise in working as an arborist on apple and hazelnut trees, so agriculture and hands-on learning are truly part of his everyday life. Ben is excited to give students opportunities to learn by doing, explore agriculture and natural resources, and participate in meaningful projects through our Conservation Corps.

Joan Narsavich –

Transition Specialist. Joan previously served as a Transition Specialist at Cottage Grove High School and brings years of experience helping students prepare for life after high school. She will work with students to explore their goals, connect with internship opportunities in the community, and build the skills, experiences, and relationships they need for whatever comes next—whether that means work, college, training, or another path.

Dana Okray –

SEL Specialist. Dana joins us from Bohemia Elementary and brings a great deal of experience helping schools create systems and supports that help students feel successful. Dana is a thoughtful, caring, and talented educator who is passionate about supporting students. We are very fortunate to have her joining our team and look forward to the relationships she will build with our students and families.

And a familiar face –

Matt Hall. You may also see a familiar face around Al Kennedy this year! Matt Hall will be volunteering his time to help welcome students and support our school community. We are grateful that Matt is willing to share his time and energy with our students and staff. We know many of you will enjoy seeing him around campus!

As summer comes to an end, I am excited to welcome our students and families back to Al Kennedy High School for a new school year. I am honored to join the AKHS community as your principal.

My name is Kirstin Sadiq, and I am excited to get to know the students, families, and staff who make Al Kennedy such a special place. I have over a decade of experience as a high school special education teacher and most recently served as an assistant principal at Harrison Elementary. Across each of these roles, one thing has remained constant: I believe some of the most powerful learning happens when students can see a purpose in what they are doing and understand how their experiences in school connect to their lives, their communities, and their futures.

As your principal, I want students to know that I will be present, I will listen, and I will care deeply about their success. And I want our entire AKHS community to know that I am coming into this role with tremendous respect for the strengths and traditions that already exist here and with excitement about what we can build together.

This year, we will continue to focus on helping students grow academically, personally, and as members of their community. Our district theme, Stay Rooted, Dig Deep, and Grow Strong, resonates with what I hope we can accomplish together at AKHS: build strong relationships, dig into meaningful learning, and help every student grow toward a future they can be proud of.

I am looking forward to meeting you, learning from you, and beginning this journey together. Welcome back to Al Kennedy High School!