Principal
Ryan Peterson
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Mr. Ryan Peterson is honored to serve as the Principal at Appleton North High School. Every day, he gets to work with the most amazing students and staff at NHS.
Mr. Peterson obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. He worked to obtain his teaching certification and master's degree from both Concordia University of Wisconsin and Marian University. While serving as an educator, Mr. Peterson continued his journey into educational leadership by completing certifications for licensure as a Principal and Superintendent in Wisconsin.
He spent several years teaching middle and high school Social Studies in addition to serving as an alternative education coordinator. His focus was being a champion for the underdog and helping every student find success at school. As Mr. Peterson continued his professional development, he served students, staff, and families as a High School Assistant Principal and a Middle School Principal. Currently, Mr. Peterson serves as the Principal at Appleton North High School.
Mr. Peterson is excited to serve the Appleton Community, where he is raising his beautiful family. Ryan and his wife Noelle, have 4 wonderful children that look forward to becoming future Lightning. Most nights, you can find the Peterson’s spending time together while cheering on the students at Appleton North High School, Go Lightning!
Associate Principal
Patrick Lee
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Patrick Lee grew up in Wausau, WI and graduated from Wausau East High School in 1991. He has a twin brother who currently instructs at his high school alma mater in the IB program. His older brother is an executive living in Minneapolis. Patrick’s father was a syndicated outdoor journalist and his mother a paralegal.
He attended UWMC in Wausau for two years where he played for their basketball team, was a member of their student council, and ultimately voted the school’s student Ambassador. Mr. Lee transferred to UW-Stevens Point majoring in English with a minor in Writing. He graduated with an English degree and taught four years at Rio High School. Also at Rio he was a JV basketball coach, Sophomore class Advisor, District Technology Coordinator, Drama Director, and High School Attendance Officer.
His first Administrative job was at Kaukauna High School in 2001. He spent five years there as an Associate Principal. In 2006 he was hired by DePere High School to perform Associate Principal duties there for the next six years.
Mr. Lee considered himself the happiest father and luckiest Principal alive when he was hired by the same school his three daughters would attend. He was hired as Principal of the Appleton Career Academy as well as the Associate Principal of Student Services for Appleton North High School in 2012.
As hobbies Mr. Lee likes to work out, run, and listen to music. He is married with three daughters who attend Appleton schools. His wife works as a NICU nurse at St. Elizabeth hospital and is the rock of the family for the countless hours he is away from them.
Associate Principal
Jillian Gordon
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Ms. Jillian Gordon is thrilled to join the Appleton North High School family, bringing her back to her hometown roots. She was born and raised in Appleton and considers it an honor and a privilege to serve the community that laid the foundation to her becoming an educator.
Ms. Gordon received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from UW- Stevens Point. She then went on to obtain a Masters in Education- Professional Development from UW- La Crosse and a Masters in Business Administration- Education Leadership from Milwaukee School of Engineering.
She spent 15 years in the classroom, teaching seven years at a private school in Appleton and nine years with the Oshkosh Area School District. She has experience teaching a variety of grade levels and content areas, including Social Studies, ELA, Math, and Math Intervention. In her final year in Oshkosh, she served as an instructional coach. She then moved to Marinette to serve as Associate Principal at Marinette Middle School for the 2021-22 school year.
Ms. Gordon is happy to finally be back home in Appleton where she enjoys spending time with family, spoiling her 10 nieces and nephews, and watching the Brewers. She loves to travel the United States and is working towards visiting all 50 states (only 17 more to go!)
Associate Principal / Activities Director
Duane Hartkopf
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Duane Hartkopf serves as the Activities Director and Associate Principal at Appleton North High School. He received his Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
He grew up in Crivitz, Wisconsin where he is proud of his small-town roots. He then attended UW-Oshkosh. He served as a third-grade educator in the Oshkosh Area School District for two years. Next, he spent four years teaching sixth grade literacy/social studies/math in the district. Most recently he served as an eAcademy support coordinator at Oshkosh West High School. During that time, he also served as the head wrestling coach at Oshkosh West for eight years and the head football coach for the past two seasons.
He and his wife (Kara) and son (Otis) continue to reside in Oshkosh. They are both big Wisconsin sports fans and enjoy running, biking, and traveling in their free time. Be sure to stop by and get to know Mr. Hartkopf at one of the many Appleton North events.
Dean of Students (10th & 12th Grade)
Rob Salm
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