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Principal & Administration
Dogwood Elementary Principal & Administration
About Dogwood Elementary Principal Kathleen Bahan
Kathleen Bahan became the new Principal of the Dogwood Elementary starting in the 2024-2025 academic year after serving as the school’s Assistant Principal for one school year.
“When I originally applied for a position in the Kearney School District, I was drawn to the tradition of academic excellence and the commitment of the teachers and staff,” she said. “Being a part of the Dogwood community this year, I am continually impressed by the strong sense of family and the deep passion for student achievement and personal success that Dogwood educators exhibit daily. Their dedication to educating the whole child is unparalleled.”
Bahan holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, a master’s from Lindenwood University and an educational specialist degree from Missouri Baptist University.
After starting her career as a math teacher in 1995, Bahan made the leap into school administration as a middle school Assistant Principal in 2008. She came to KSD after serving as an Assistant Principal for 15 years at two schools in the Fort Zumwalt School District on the east side of the state.
Bahan loves being able to carry on the proud legacy of educational excellence and public service at Dogwood Elementary.
“I am humbled and honored to serve alongside this team and I am focused on continuing the great work that KSD and Dogwood teachers and staff are doing each and every day,” she said. “Our students are our focus and I am committed to supporting their academic journey, fostering a positive learning environment, and ensuring their overall growth and success in collaboration with the entire Dogwood community.”
Dogwood Elementary Assistant Principal
About Assistant Principal Syndey Johnson
Sydney Johnson is a lifelong Bulldog and a member of Team KSD. She grew up in Kearney, has children in the district, and taught fourth grade at Kearney Elementary during the 2023-2024 academic year.
Before joining KSD, Johnson taught at Ridgeview Elementary in Liberty starting in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Education Leadership, and a Specialists in Superintendency degree, all from Northwest Missouri State University.
Her path toward school administration began in 2019 as a member of the Liberty Public Schools’ Leadership Academy and the Building Leadership Team at Ridgeview Elementary, where she taught fifth grade. She was also part of the district’s English Language Arts collaboration committee for kindergarten through fifth grade.
“As the Assistant Principal at Dogwood Elementary, I am driven by a deep-rooted commitment to serve the community that made me who I am today,” she said. “With a passion for fostering academic excellence, nurturing student growth, and collaborating with dedicated educators, I feel fortunate to be a part of the Dogwood family!”
