photo by: Lawrence school district

Summer Moeckel

Summer Moeckel, New York Elementary and New York Montessori’s curriculum and instructional coach, has been selected to be principal of Deerfield Elementary, effective July 1, pending school board approval, according to a news release Friday from the Lawrence school district.

Moeckel will succeed Principal Joni Appleman, who is retiring in June after 18 years at Deerfield and 24 years of service as an administrator in the district.

“I appreciate Mrs. Moeckel’s strong knowledge of and commitment to our district and her obvious passion and enthusiasm for this opportunity at Deerfield. She is highly respected as a skilled leader and problem-solver among our curriculum and instruction coaching team,” Superintendent Anthony Lewis said in the release.

This is Moeckel’s second year as a curriculum and instructional coach at New York. She previously taught fourth grade for a year at Broken Arrow Elementary. Prior to joining the Lawrence district, she taught in the second, third, and fourth grades for 16 years in Madison, Victoria, and Osawatomie. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Fort Hays State University.

“I feel deeply honored and humbled to serve as Deerfield’s next school leader. In meeting with staff, families, and community members, it is evident that all stakeholders work diligently together to achieve academic and social/emotional excellence for every learner,” Moeckel said in the release.

Deerfield Elementary serves 469 students in grades K-5 this year.