HOISINGTON — Hoisington Middle School Principal Pat Reinhardt has been chosen as one of three Kansas Association of Middle School Administrator’s Exemplary Principal. In addition to Reinhardt, Brad Miner, principal of Royster Middle School of Chanute, and Dr. Michael Wolgast, principal of Pioneer Trail Middle School of Olathe were also chosen.

Reinhardt attributes her success as a leader to others in the school district. "The other people are more important," she said. "We have a dedicated staff and a supportive board of education and superintendent." She was very surprised to have won the award, but thought it was, "Really cool."

Hoisington Middle School has achieved multiple year Standard of Excellence Awards and High Performing School Awards.

Superintendent of USD 431 Bill Lowry explained why he nominated Reinhardt. "Mrs. Reinhardt has taken a lead role in working with the Communities That Care data and helped start our Task Force. She has been instrumental in getting a $43,000 wellness grant," he said. "Our middle school has achieved as well as anybody in the state.

"She has helped incorporate Give’em Five, an effective school discipline strategy," he added. "Mrs. Reinhardt has implemented MTSS into our middle school."

The selection is based upon a continual effort to improve with measures that show success. In addition, it also includes adding new programs to accelerate academic achievement, provide for student motivation and student social development.

HMS serves 5th-8th grades and has an enrollment of 210 students.

Reinhardt began her teaching career at Lenora High School as a business teacher. She then spent four years at LaCrosse High School, LaCrosse, Kansas also teaching business. She has been in the Hoisington school district since leaving LaCrosse, beginning at the high school as a business teacher. She is in her sixth year as Hoisington Middle School principal. During her teaching career she was named Who’s Who Among Teachers multiple years, and nominated for Teacher of the Year.

Reinhardt and her husband Kent have three children and seven grandchildren. Their eldest son Derek and his wife Jennifer live on the family farm and have three children, Landon, Alexa, and Izabella. Derek is the middle school principal for Larned. Daughter Allison Gradig and her husband Larry have four children, Kylee, Bevan, Lillian, and Tyler and live on a farm near Hutchinson. Kent and Pat’s youngest son Nelson is a Hoisington graduate and recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.