This fall, with the retirement of Principal Greg Handel, La Porte High School will welcome back its brand new principal, Mr. Ben Tonagel. He is a product of the very school he will return to and he is eager to take the position.
Tonagel was born in La Porte and attended Kingsbury Elementary School and Kesling Middle School. He attended La Porte High School where he played basketball and graduated from in 1997.
Tonagel said, “I had a great experience at La Porte High School. I was pretty active in the student body. I enjoyed my teachers and my connection to the athletic program. I have good memories.”
After graduation, Tonagel took his education and basketball abilities to Grace College where he studied Elementary Education. His career in education started with a 3rd grade teaching position in 2001. Following six years at his teaching position, Tonagel moved up to the Dean of Students and assistant principal position at Fairfield High School for three years and transitioned into the head principal position for another three.
“My time as principal at Fairfield has been very exciting. I have a great staff and great students…I have had a really steep learning curve, and I enjoyed the challenge that comes with the position. I have learned a lot. I have gotten to experience some neat things,” Tongael commented.
He is planning on bringing the knowledge he learned while at Fairfield to La Porte and continuing the process in his first year. While this includes learning the operations process of the high school, his focus is mainly on building strong relationships with the staff and students.
“A big part of who I am is developing relationships and building trust. I just am ready to get to know the school. I am sure a lot has changed since I was there. It will be coming back in a different role. I need to learn a ton.”
Tonagel is looking forward to the new challenge and the opportunity to return to his hometown and high school. He sees the role as a chance to serve his community and reconnect with people and the area. Tonagel admires La Porte’s hometown feel and the pride the residents take in being a part of the community.
“When I was there, a lot of people took pride in the school and were very proud of what it stood for. Being a Slicer is unique, and I am looking forward to reconnecting with that.”