Current Ellsworth Elementary School Principal John Groh will trade in his Panther gear for Cardinals’ wear July 1 when he becomes Spring Valley School District’s new district administrator. He will replace Dr. Donald Haack, who is retiring in June.

According to a SVSD news release, Groh has 25 years of experience in education. He began his career as a math, science, reading and language arts teacher at the middle and elementary school levels in Ellsworth. He taught for 16 years before becoming principal of Hillcrest Elementary School. Six years later, he became principal of grades 2-5 at the new consolidated Ellsworth Elementary School.

“Over the past three years, Mr. Groh has been the principal at Ellsworth Elementary School where he leads a staff of more than 100 people in facilitating the education of over 700 students in grades 2 through 5,” the news release states.

Groh holds a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University, a master’s degree from Minnesota State University – Mankato, and an educational specialist degree from UW-Superior.

Groh said he has enjoyed developing relationships with students, parents and the community.

“I have had the pleasure to watch students become parents and parents become grandparents … I feel very fortunate,” Groh said.

Groh is proud of helping the community through some significant transitions. His first year of full-time teaching was the year Ellsworth Middle School opened its doors and sixth graders moved from four elementary schools to the new school. Then, 22 years later, he helped lead the move into the consolidated Ellsworth Elementary School (which combined students from Hillcrest and Prairie View elementaries.

“Both new buildings are great spaces for teachers to teach and students to learn, but the important part is making people feel welcomed in their new home,” Groh said. In his time at Ellsworth, Groh has worked under three superintendents, each of whom led the district forward, he said. This has inspired him to offer his valuable experience to a new district.

“In particular, I have watched Barry Cain work to bring our many communities together and build trust between the school and the community,” Groh said. “In large part because of his leadership, vision and hard work, the students and taxpayers of this district have benefited greatly.”

He noted that Spring Valley’s school district is an important part of that community. He is looking forward to meeting residents, community leaders, parents, staff and students.

Groh is married to Ellsworth Elementary School Counselor Lisa Groh, who he describes as a wonderful person, mother and professional. They share four daughters: Riley, Grace, Cecelia and Libby.

“They are kind, strong and smart young women who are good friends to each other and make me proud each day,” he said.

As a family, they share many laughs, interests and passions, Groh said.

“We like listening to music, running, trying new foods, lamenting over the Minnesota Vikings and attending school events,” Groh said.

He also likes to build, fix and restore machines and equipment.

Haack, who hails originally from Lawrence, Kan., was inspired by his father, a University of Kansas professor, to go into education. He holds a degree in mathematics from the University of Kansas, and earned master’s and doctorate degrees in educational leadership and administration.

He taught math at schools in Kansas, Wisconsin and Missouri before switching to administration. He served as the high school principal and superintendent in Spooner before coming to Spring Valley in 2014.

“The people that I work with are awesome, and everyone steps up to help out,” Haack said. “The adults from staff members to board members to administrators and supervisors have been great to work with. It makes it a lot more fun going to work when people know that what they think matters and what they do matters._ It has also been great to have the support of our community for our schools and our kids.”

Haack said he will miss the energy at the start of the day at the elementary_school, the conversations with_ colleagues while supervising during lunch and working with caring people to find ways to do what is best for individual _children._ “My colleagues in_ the district office have been absolutely _great to work with, too,” Haack added.

He and his wife have no exciting retirement plans, but they hope to travel around the country a bit. He is proud of the good work that’s been done regarding the schools’ culture and climate during his seven-year tenure.

“The bricks and mortar things we have been able to do lately have been wonderful and will carry the district a long way into the future, but the most important part of any school is the people that work with our children and their happiness and engagement,” Haack said. “I think we have done some good work in increasing engagement and happiness in the Spring Valley schools.”

Haack also wished to thank the school board members for making his job enjoyable.

Dr. Donald Haack