The following was featured in the August 17th issue of The Arnold Sentinel. KCNI/KBBN thanks the staff of the Sentinel for their permission to share this local interest story:
In 2009, Allison Rosentrater was walking the halls of Arnold Public Schools as a senior. After years of continuing her education, she is now greeting Arnold students as “Mrs. Goodenow” – the new Pre-K-12th grade principal. Although the first day of school started today (August 17), she officially started her new duties on July 24. She will now be handling the day-to-day in terms of instructional guidance, scheduling, student regulations, staff and student supervision, curriculum, data and analysis, as well as some staffing.
“I had seen the posting on Teach In Nebraska. I love this community and love what this school provides for our children. I wanted to be able to play a part in that,” she said.
Allison studied hard to be where she is today. She obtained both her teaching degree and her master’s from Wayne State College. She began getting her Master’s in Administration in the fall of 2019. At that time, she had just given birth to Oli, and Bo was 4 years old. She was teaching 4th grade, coaching middle school volleyball and basketball and was pregnant with little Kenny when she graduated with her master’s in December of 2021. At the time of starting her master’s, Allison had not legally changed her name from her maiden name yet, so the name on the certificate is listed as Allison Nicole Rosentrater. Her teaching experience since her college graduation includes a position at the Youth Rehabilitation Center in Kearney for a summer, teaching 4th and 5th grade in North Platte, as well as working as a principal in North Platte prior to being employed at APS.
Her life changed for the better when she moved back to Arnold in the summer of 2016.
“I moved back because I wanted to raise my only child at the time in this community because of the life I was given growing up here. When I split from Bo’s dad, I tried living in Kearney for a few months, but my soul kept feeling like I was being pulled back to Arnold, so I listened, and, I made the move, and I will forever be grateful for that,” she said.
In September of 2018, Allison married Kenny Goodenow. Their children include Bo Allen, age 7, a 2nd grader; Oliana Thomas, age 3, 1st year preschool, and Kenny LeRoy, age 2, who will be getting spoiled rotten at his grandparents’ houses while his siblings are in school.
Her main goal as principal will be to continue to build a solid school culture, as well as reminding students and staff that school is a fun place to be and that learning can be enjoyable.
“The school has a wonderful group of staff, and I am excited to now be a part of their team and to be a part of the growth that we will show from year to year,” she said.
