Jeff Linden Named Principal for the 2022-2023 School Year

Since the announcement of current principal Thomas Szlanda’s transfer to the Hastings Public Schools Human Resources department, HPS has been searching for a new principal. 

After enduring an interview process with Superintendent Jeff Schneider and Administrative Assistant Heidi Smith, the Administration and District Office Committee, and the Teacher Committee, the search was completed. The final outcome ended with a new principal being named, Jeff Linden.

“My job is to stand out to interviewers with what I have, not worrying about who I am up against. That is how I approached my interview. I know I was not the first person who was interviewed, I might have been the last,” Linden said.

Linden, who is the current principal of Southern Valley High School, has administrative experience. Linden spent 11 years as a math and physical education teacher at various schools across Nebraska, including rural and metropolitan schools. However, the last four years of his career have been spent at SVHS.

“Something I’ve learned from going to rural to metro-sized schools is that the teaching is still the same, you just have more or fewer students. Building relationships with students, their parents, and colleagues is also important to work towards a common goal. I believe collaboration is the most important aspect of achieving a goal,” Linden said.

Since Linden has four years of experience being a principal, he has encountered several challenges as well as privileges in recent years. Although there are undoubtedly unpleasant things about being a principal, Linden chooses to focus on the things he enjoys about his job.

“My favorite part of being a principal is watching the ‘aha’ moments with my students when they get the light bulb moment. Helping students learn and get passionate about something is the best feeling. My least favorite part is the disciplinary part of being a principal. I would rather have my students make the right decisions than need to be disciplined, but disciplinary actions are always bound to happen,” Linden said.

When Linden saw the opening of a head principal at Hastings High, he debated applying for it. Although he enjoys being part of the administration at SVHS, Linden believes being the principal at Hastings High is an undeniable opportunity for him.

“I grew up in Lexington, so I competed with Hastings in sports in Class B. I know people who live in Hastings, it is a town I’m very familiar with and I know the community very well. Going back to a big district was definitely appealing to me, I live about 45 minutes away from a Walmart right now. My goal has always been to gain experience and get to a school that I can be at for a long time, and Hastings is that school for me. My family and I enjoy the tri-city area and it has been one of my dreams to be the principal at Hastings High,” Linden said.

When students, staff, and parents see that a new head administrative figure is coming to Hastings High, it can be a little nerve-wracking for some. However, the expectation of big changes is not something to worry about with Linden.

“My job as the principal is to manage the systems that are already in place. I want Hastings High to be the best freaking high school in the state of Nebraska. I want the culture at the school to be a place where students and staff love coming to school and work. I want students to find something they are passionate about, figure out how to do it while making money, and go out into the world and kick butt. I want students to go out into the world and be the best people they can be,” Linden said. 

Linden is thrilled to start the next chapter of his administrative career as a Tiger. If you are interested in learning more about Linden’s philosophies and leadership style, listen to his podcast on Spotify “Educational Leadership with Principal JL.”

“I am very excited knowing that there are already a lot of good things going on at Hastings High. I’m excited to help teachers and students do things they want to do. Being a part of a great team to achieve goals is what I’m most excited about. Hastings is where I want to be,” Linden said.