Written by Kaden West, Staff Writer
The 2019-2020 school year has started off with a striking amount of new energy due to Indian Trail High School & Academy’s new principal, Scott Kennow.
Kennow is “all about school spirit” and ready to make change happen.
Although he said he believes not much has to change here, he wants to make the environment more positive.
“They need to know they’re cared for, they need to know this is the greatest school that ever existed, and I’m gonna put everything in to make that happen,” Kennow said.
Kennow demonstrates his passion for Indian Trail daily through various routines. Fridays are “ st bump Fridays,” when he makes a point of offering an enthusiastic st bump to every student passing through the entrance doors. With an enrollment of more than 2,000 students, even Kennow acknowledges that’s a lot of st bumps.
But for Kennow, it’s one way for him to demonstrate his enthusiasm for the job. Before a recent interview with The Pulse, Kennow expressed his excitement towards be- ing the principal of Indian Trail. His attitude and delight towards Indian Trail is contagious and can’t help but bring a smile to the faces of those around him.
Kennow took many steps before arriving at Indian Trail. His education started at University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh and ended at Cardinal Stritch University, where he received his master’s degree and director of instruction license. After college, Kennow worked at all three levels of education. He was a fifth grade elementary teacher, seventh grade math teacher, a dean of students, assistant prin- cipal, and now the principal of IT.
Prior to his job here, he worked at Lake Geneva Badger High School, Westosha Central High School, Frank Elementary, McKinley Elementary, Edward Bain School of Language and Art, Brass Community, and Somers Elementary.
Not only does Kennow strive in his career, he also aims to be a dedicated family man. After his children were born, Kennow moved from his job as an assistant principal to an elementary school teacher in order to have more time to be a father and husband, he said.
During his time as an elementary school teacher, he delved into the diversity that Edward Bain Elementary had to offer. He learned bits of Spanish, so he would be able to communicate with the families that spoke Spanish in the community. He wanted to make sure that parents felt comfortable talking to him, and he wanted to continuously learn about those around him so he could better adapt to his new environment.
“He could be a motivational speaker,” said Corinna
Eppers, Kennow’s secretary, noting how much energy he brings to the office and those around him.