Hello Viking Family!

My name is Kelly Kauffman, and I am truly honored to step into the role of your new high school principal. When this incredible opportunity came my way, my answer was an immediate and enthusiastic "Yes!" I have spent 24 wonderful years in education—eleven as a teacher and thirteen as a middle and high school principal—and I am thrilled to bring that experience to Miami East.

On a personal note, I have been married for 27 years, and we have three wonderful adult children ranging in age from 20 to 26. I live just outside of De Graff, about 30 minutes away from our school.

I deeply believe in the power and importance of public education. Miami East is a shining example of what is possible when students, parents, and the community unite for the benefit of our youth. Our dedicated and effective teachers have built a legacy of academic success, and we should all be incredibly proud of our five-star rating! Teaching is truly a calling, and I cannot wait to watch these outstanding professionals in action.

Our low chronic absenteeism rate—well below the state average—is another massive testament to this community. This statistic cannot be understated when it comes to student success. Thank you, parents, for making education a priority; working together to build these strong attendance habits now will set our students up for lifelong success in adulthood.

The Vikings also have a long, proud tradition of excellence in athletics. I want to extend my personal thanks to all of our coaches. Coaching at the high school level requires an immense time commitment and personal sacrifice. I deeply appreciate the time our coaches spend away from their own families to pour into the lives of our student-athletes.

Perspective is everything. I am looking forward to learning from all of you, getting to know your incredible students, and discovering even more about what makes this school so special. I would like to thank Mr. Gentis for all of his help in this transition. He has been a tremendous help to me over the last few weeks.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or call the office to set up a time to meet!

Go Vikings!

Kelly Kauffman

Principal, Miami East High School

kkauffman@miamieast.k12.oh.us