Introducing new dean

At Plainfield North High School (PNHS), the new dean, Nick Hauenstein, is a dedicated educator, driven by years of experience and a passion for helping students grow both academically and personally.

Hauenstein graduated from Central College, where he majored in elementary education. He went on to earn a master’s degree in administrative education from Louisiana State University. His path into education was inspired by a strong family tradition of teaching and a personal love of coaching.

“I come from a line of teachers within my family, so that’s something that has always been close to my heart,” stated Hauenstein.

Before joining PNHS, Hauenstein spent seven years as a sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher and later served as an assistant principal at a middle school in Burlington, Iowa. He then transitioned into his current role as Dean of Students, bringing with him a focus on building strong relationships and promoting student accountability.

When asked about the biggest challenges of his role, Hauenstein expressed, “I think that being able to hold students accountable while also helping them learn life skills.” Recognizing each student’s qualities, he aims to guide them toward growth and maturity.

Outside the office, Hauenstein once played college soccer at Central College. That competitive spirit carries over into his professional life, where perseverance is a core value. His motto to live by, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight,” reflects his belief in the power of maintaining a growth mindset. 

He explained this motto by saying, “I think that being able to learn from your experiences and to build on whatever the situation is at hand, and being able to improve yourself personally, is big for me.”

Looking ahead, Hauenstein hopes to make a lasting impact on students, not just through academics but by helping them realize their potential and building meaningful relationships that will support them in the future.

“I want students to be able to realize that high school is a very short time in their careers and lives, and they’re going to build a lot of skills and relationships that are going to help them in the future,” stated Hauenstein.

In his time at PNHS, he aims to build on the school’s existing successes and continue strengthening the community’s growth and involvement. His advice to students this year is simple yet powerful: “get involved, try new things, and step out of your comfort zone.”

For Hauenstein, success as a dean isn’t always visible right away. It comes from hearing later how his influence made a difference, proof that even in a career that can sometimes feel thankless, the impact is rewarding. 

“It is neat to have students and people reach out to you after the fact, just to show that you have had an impact on them.”