Featuring Dr. Kevin Lein, professor of education at Wayne State.
After being shot by a student 10 years ago when he was a high school principal, compassionate is probably the best word that describes Dr. Kevin Lein. Lein, a professor of education at Wayne State, is this week’s subject of the Faculty Spotlight Series.
In 2015, Lein was the principal of Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, S.D., when a student walked into his office and shot him in the arm. Instead of pushing for the student’s punishment, Lein immediately forgave the student and became an advocate for his assailant to receive mental health treatment. Lein would return to school the following day with his arm in a sling.
“It was definitely a harrowing experience, but a lot of positives have been born from it,” said Lein, a native of Maryville, Mo., who began teaching at Wayne State in 2022. “I had the opportunity to work with legislators and policymakers in Washington, as well as fellow victims to aid schools in the aftermath of these tragedies. I have been invited twice to speak at the White House on behalf of our work. It has been my passion to find methods to create environments that can extinguish the causes of these incidents.”
Lein is a founding member of the Principal Recovery Network, and group that assists schools that have endured shooting tragedies (Columbine, Parkland, Sandy Hook, etc.) and helps them with measures and legislation to thwart further incidents.
People who have a passion for knowledge and sharing it to build a better world are perfect for a career in education. Pursuing a teaching degree from Wayne State allows students to follow in the footsteps of thousands of students before them. Wayne State builds outstanding education professionals for schools in Nebraska and around the world. In fact, 1 in 10 Nebraska teachers have at least one degree from Wayne State.
“From instructors and professors to every staff member, everyone in Wayne State’s education department genuinely cares for every student, every day, in every way,” said Lein.
Lein’s experience includes 15 years as a K-12 administrator and coach at every level; 20 years as a collegiate instructor, coach, and administrator; and six years as a K-12 teacher. Lein has been involved in educational initiatives as a local, state, and regional leader and was also a school board member.
Lein was the South Dakota Principal of the Year in 2016 and the South Dakota Innovative Educator of the Year in 2017. Lein was named a lifetime member of the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2023.
He was named a Hochsprung Tree of Life Memorial Hero in 2018. Lein’s name was etched on one of the leaves of the memorial tree in Alexandria, Va. The award is named for Dawn Hochsprung, the principal killed during the Sandy Hook school shooting.
Lein is the only remaining founding member of the Reimagining Education Models (REM) Committee, which oversees and implements a $7.2 million three-year grant.
Lein was an All-American basketball player at Mount Marty College in Yankton, S.D. He was twice named the college Coach of the Year in South Dakota during his intercollegiate tenure. He is in the Hampton (Iowa) Hall of Fame and the Mount Marty Hall of Fame.
In October, Lein received the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award (undergraduate degree) from Mount Marty University. The award is given to a Mount Marty alumnus who consistently demonstrates leadership, competence, dedication, integrity, and a commitment to continued education in their chosen profession.
Lein earned his bachelor of arts degree in Journalism/English/Business from Mount Marty College, his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Dakota, his master of arts degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation/Communication from the University of South Dakota, and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the College of Saint Mary. He also completed the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation program at South Dakota State University.
Fun Fact: “My nickname ‘Pete’ goes back to my basketball days at Mount Marty. It was given to me by my college classmates in reverence to Pistol Pete Maravich. It still lingers today – with my floppy socks, ball tricks, and hot-doggish-ness – and it’s still the name of choice for my wife and most of my friends and family. Also, after 44 years, I still hold all the basketball assist records at Mount Marty.”