Schwartz honored for 21 years of leadership with surprise celebration at West Lincoln

October 31, 2025

As soon as West Lincoln Elementary School Principal Scott Schwartz returned to campus from a district meeting in late October, he noticed something was different at the school building.
 
There was a banner on the fence out front that wasn’t there when he left earlier in the morning.
 
And then he saw a staff member dressed up in the school’s Wildcat mascot costume.
 
And when he walked in the front door, there were rows of cheering students waiting to greet him in the hallways.

West Lincoln students and staff members honored Schwartz for his devotion to the school and community with a surprise celebration for more than two decades of service. 

Schwartz said he was in disbelief as he realized that West Lincoln Assistant Principal Sara Rose had organized the special event. His principal antennae picked up something unusual when he saw the banner as he was parking his vehicle. It then dawned on him that there was much more going on than just one congratulatory sign.
 
“I was shocked,” Schwartz said. “I was shocked to see that. I thought, ‘There’s a little more behind that.’ Then Sara came out, then the Wildcat came out, and then I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re doing this for me,’ and it was pretty special.”

Rose said it was fun to watch Schwartz’s astonishment during the morning and honor him for his many years of service. He began working at Lincoln Public Schools in 1993 and entered his 21st year as West Lincoln’s principal this fall. He has stayed longer at West Lincoln than any other current LPS principal has at their school.

“We work hard and laugh a lot, even if the laugh is more of a chuckle and an eye roll at a corny joke,” Rose said. “It was so satisfying to turn the tables on him this time and pull off this surprise to celebrate 21 years as principal at West Lincoln Elementary. He had no idea it was coming!”

Rose and LPS Director of Elementary Education Gena Licata both said Schwartz has been a valuable leader at West Lincoln. He has overseen many educational improvements during a time of growing enrollment. There were 386 Wildcats at the school when he first stepped into the principal position in 2005. The official Fall 2024 enrollment figure was 463 students.
 
“Serving as principal at the same school for 21 years demonstrates remarkable dedication to the West Lincoln community,” Licata said. “Mr. Schwartz has positively shaped generations of students through his compassion, consistency and unwavering commitment.”

“His longevity and loyalty set an example for the staff at West Lincoln who also choose to be at West Lincoln because of their commitment to the school, the neighborhood and each other,” Rose said. “For many years, Mr. Schwartz has reminded us to treat ‘every moment as a last moment,’ meaning make the most of every interaction you have with each other, with students and with families. Make it the best interaction you can.”

 
Schwartz reacted with joy as he walked down West Lincoln’s hallways and waved to Wildcats from each grade level. The surprises then continued when he stepped into his office. There was a blue-and-white cake, two golden balloons in the shape of 21 and a special page of The Wildcat Wire newspaper. The custom-made front page commemorated Schwartz’s anniversary during National Principals Month.

Schwartz said he enjoys working at West Lincoln because of the relationships he has developed with the community. He has promoted the school’s partnerships with agencies such as Lincoln Community Learning Centers, Food Bank of Lincoln and the National Center for Family Literacy, and he has helped implement instructional strategies such as Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST) measures. He has also witnessed many technological upgrades during his tenure that have benefited students.
 
“I’ve tried to give them the best education possible, and I’ve tried to be consistent and true throughout my time here,” Schwartz said. “I’ve tried to get to know our community and just be steadfast for them. I think advocating for this part of town is what I’ve always wanted to do, and I love it here.”

Licata said Schwartz’s compassionate role at the helm of West Lincoln has impacted people on educational, social and community levels.
 
“West Lincoln is stronger because of his steady leadership and belief in every student’s potential,” Licata said. “Scott leads with heart each day and deeply cares for the students, staff and families he serves.”
 
The bonds between Schwartz and West Lincoln families have deep roots. During kindergarten orientation sessions each fall, Schwartz asks adults to raise their hands if they attended West Lincoln as children. Dozens of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and guardians lift their arms high every year to display their Wildcat pride.
 
And for many of those alumni, Schwartz is the face they associate most with the school. He was their principal and the principal of their brother and sister, and now he is West Lincoln’s leader for the youngest members of their family.

“I have that connection with them,” Schwartz said. “It’s great to have instant trust with people because you’ve been here, because you’ve worked hard to have a relationship with them. It’s special.”

“Those partnerships with families have resulted in a trust between the West Lincoln school and the community it serves,” Rose said. “Teachers trust parents and parents trust teachers with Mr. Schwartz at the center of it all.”
 
Schwartz said he enters West Lincoln every morning with the same positive mindset as he first did 21 years ago. He said his daily interactions with all of the Wildcats are why his enthusiasm for education remains so strong.
 
“It’s this place,” Schwartz said. “It’s the place, the kids, the teachers. I’ve just been here, and that’s what keeps me coming back.”
 
Scott Schwartz is guiding a team full of staff members who are helping West Lincoln students in many ways every day. Visit westlincoln.lps.org to read the school’s handbook and newsletter, view a calendar of upcoming events and access a large database of library materials.
 
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