Meet the Principal

My name is Corey Shepherd, and I am honored to serve as Principal of Nome Elementary School. I bring more than a decade of experience in elementary education and school leadership in rural Alaska, having previously served as both an elementary teacher and principal in Kotzebue.

Throughout my career, I have been passionate about creating schools where students feel safe, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. I believe strong relationships, high expectations, and a positive school culture are essential to student success. As principal, two of my highest priorities are ensuring a safe and orderly learning environment for all students and providing strong literacy instruction that helps every child become a confident reader.

As I begin my work at Nome Elementary, I look forward to partnering with students, families, staff, and the broader community. My approach is rooted in listening, learning, and working together to build upon the strengths that already exist within our school.

My family and I have deep connections to Nome, and we are excited to make this community our long-term home. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, making soap, reading, and playing Xbox with my kids.