While everyone goes to class and interacts with their teachers, not everyone has a daily interaction with the leader of the Swamp. The “original gator”, former teacher, and current principal, Mrs.Kroll has been at North Star longer than the students have been alive. As previously mentioned, Kroll’s tenure has included four years as principal of North Star, 6 years as an associate principal, and 8 and a half in the classroom as a math teacher. Kroll’s motivation each day to be the best principal that she can be is simply the students, staff, and community, thus showing the true focal point of North Star; the people.

When asked to describe North Star in one phrase, her response was, “A Community”, truly driving in the meaning and value of North Stars’ collective community as the shining light of the Swamp. There are a plethora of schools that Kroll could’ve chosen to serve. Her reasoning for North Star started from her roots. In her own words, “(she) was a product of LPS”. North Star gave Kroll an opportunity to start at a new building and create a new environment and culture. It was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up and she has stayed since then because it feels like home. She loved it then and loves it now.

She has learned many lessons during her time being principal. A lesson that North Star has taught Kroll is to look at the big picture about how her leadership impacts those around her. Kroll shared that she has to look at her decisions with extreme importance because the things she does impacts everything in the school. To wrap it up, Kroll ended with one final message, she stated how much of a privilege it is for her to be able to serve as North Star’s principal and she feels very lucky to have this opportunity. In the end, it is evident that Kroll has the heart, leadership, and love for the community to reach and connect with every member.