Academics

Kole Knueppel (2008)

Education

  • B.S., English with a Secondary Education Certificate, Wisconsin Lutheran College, 1993
  • M.S., Educational Administration, UW-Milwaukee, 1995

Biography

Prior to joining the Center for Urban Teaching in July 2008, Kole served as superintendent from 2004 to 2008 at the HOPE Schools, a dynamic and aggressive growth-oriented urban school system based on outstanding student academic performance and behavioral transformation. Kole led the expansion of HOPE from one campus with 50 students in 2004 to three campuses and over 500 students in 2008. Prior to HOPE, from 2001 to 2004 Kole led the revitalization of St. Marcus School from a low-performing urban school into a high-performing nationally-recognized model for faith-based urban education. Test scores increased under his tenure to such highs as 2nd grade: 75th percentile nationally; 1st grade: 70th percentile nationally; middle school students jumped several grade levels in a two-year span to score at or above the national average. In addition, students experienced incredible spiritual growth and behavioral transformation.

During Kole's time at St. Marcus, the school was featured in the Washington Post, numerous local media outlets, and at the School Reform Conference, London, England. He is a presenter both nationally and internationally on urban educational issues, with particular interests in student behavioral transformation through teacher pro-activity and servant leadership in the urban school. 

Kole is currently working to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In his spare time, he is a college football official and is a member of the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Hall of Fame. Kole is committed to community renewal and lives in the Harambee neighborhood with his wife, Anna, and daughter, Sophia.