Kaitlyn Lesnikoski, the Assistant Principal at Pahrump Valley High School, is all set to embark on her second year in this pivotal role. Her journey to education and school administration is as unique as it is inspiring. Initially, Ms. Lesnikoski trained horses in high school and college, eventually traveling to Wyoming to work on a ranch. It was there, through her involvement in the children’s riding program, that she discovered her passion. “I realized how much I enjoyed working with students,” she recalls.
However, a piece of misguided advice from her college career counselor nearly derailed her aspirations. She was told that becoming an English teacher in Connecticut was nearly impossible and that she would have to teach Math or Science, areas where she did not feel her strengths lay. Despite this setback, the idea of working in education never left her mind. Determined to pursue her passion, Ms. Lesnikoski moved to Las Vegas to enroll in the ARL program, where she began working with students in addiction recovery. It was during this time that she developed a strong desire to take on a leadership role. “I quickly realized I wanted to be involved in leadership to advocate for students and families,” she explains.
At Pahrump Valley High School, Ms. Lesnikoski’s primary vision is to help all students learn and grow. She emphasizes that success is defined differently for each student and believes that part of being an educator is helping students define their personal version of success and laying the foundation for them to achieve it. “The definition of success is different for every student, and a part of being an educator is helping students define their personal version of success,” she says.
A typical day for Ms. Lesnikoski is dynamic and multifaceted, reflecting the diverse needs of the school community. Her day includes a blend of parent meetings, planning school events, attending athletic and after-school activities, addressing discipline-related questions, visiting classrooms, and handling paperwork. “Every day is unique! When you’re working with people, every day is different than the next,” she notes.
The most rewarding part of her role is helping students, families, and teachers achieve their goals. She recalls a particularly memorable experience from the previous year when a student began tracking her days sober from vaping. “Seeing her face light up when she told me she had succeeded at not vaping for a month made all the difficult conversations worth it,” she shares. However, the job also comes with its challenges, such as the need to be in multiple places at once. “In education, the highs are high, and the lows are low, but as a leader, you need to stay steady and stable no matter the highs and lows,” Ms. Lesnikoski explains.
To engage with students, parents, and the broader community, PVHS leverages advanced communication and technology. The school’s technology team plays a crucial role in utilizing websites, social media platforms, and digital communication to keep parents and families informed. Additionally, Ms. Lesnikoski is collaborating with various businesses in the community to create wrap-around programs that support students outside of school.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Lesnikoski has a passion for riding horses and competing in obstacle course races. Last year, she had the opportunity to complete some of the obstacle courses used by the Nye County Sheriff’s department, an experience she describes as a blast. Her current goal is to compete in The Tactical Games at the beginning of 2025, a competition that blends running, Crossfit, and shooting. “Having to learn so many new skills has helped keep me focused,” she says, adding that exercise serves as a great emotional outlet after a difficult day.
Ms. Lesnikoski wants the community to know that administrators and educators are deeply committed to their students. “No one goes into education to be a millionaire or to become famous; we do it because we feel called to do so,” she emphasizes. Acknowledging that educators are not perfect, she underscores their genuine desire to help students succeed. “We all love students and genuinely want to do everything we can to help them succeed,” she concludes.
