Apple Valley Stem School Gets New Principal

APPLE VALLEY, MN — Mary Kreger, the superintendent of Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196, announced Thursday the promotion of Dr. Stacey Buchwald from interim principal to principal of Valley Middle School of STEM in Apple Valley.

Buchwald had served as interim principal since 2021, after Dave McKeag stepped down from the role and retired.

Buchwald started at Valley Middle as an assistant principal in 2010. Before that, she worked as an assistant principal in Owatonna from 2005 to 2010 and a middle school counselor in Farmington from 2000 to 2005.

"I’ve had the honor of serving the Valley Middle community for more than a decade and was proud to serve as interim principal last year," Buchwald said in a news release.

"I continue to be committed to the students, families and staff that make Valley Middle such a wonderful place to learn and am excited to accept this new leadership responsibility."

Buchwald's education includes:

• Bachelor of science degree in psychology from Iowa State University
• Masters of science in school counseling from St. Cloud State University
• Doctorate in leadership from Saint Mary’s University

In addition to Buchwald's promotion, Stefanie Thomas was promoted from interim assistant principal to assistant principal at Valley Middle. Thomas has worked at Valley Middle since 1992.

Both promotions are effective immediately.