Jill L. Clevenger

Kenwood Elementary School
Kearney Public Schools
Kearney, Nebraska
jilclevenger@kearneycats.com

Jill Clevenger has been a leader in public schools and a principal for a total of 22 years. In the 15 years that Clevenger has served as principal of Kenwood Elementary School, she has organized against the odds to improve Kenwood’s academic performance. Starting in 2014, Clevenger began working with staff to analyze data, identify needs, and develop action plans to improve student success. In just one year, Clevenger successfully moved Kenwood out of the “At Risk” category for “Persistently Low Achieving Schools.” A motivating force, Clevenger mobilized staff to implement WIN (What I Need), allowing students 30 minutes of enrichment time to their daily schedule, effectively raising student achievement. As a principal, Clevenger has worked to make her school “welcoming, comforting, and safe.” Displaying immense commitment to her students and their families, Clevenger held various leadership positions beyond her role as principal. She is an involved community member and a Sunday School teacher and has been a board member and volunteer for the Kearney Therapeutic Horse Riding Program. Notably, she has held the titles of board member and president of the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals, where she now serves as treasurer. Cleaver holds a B.A. from Kearney State College and an M.A. from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.