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Growing up, Warnecke mentored with her aunt who was a teacher in Centerville and began baby-sitting at an early age because of her love for children.
"This is really not like work for me," she said.
Being around kids all day, she said, helps her to stay young.
Before her principal career, she taught for 13 years, so she knows every side of the job. She is not just a principal, but also a friend to the kids and provides a listening ear.
"I have kids come to me and tell me what is bothering them all the time and we try and see what we can do about it," she said. "We also try to provide the families with community resources if necessary."
Most of the time, her job is fun. She's been Agassiz principal for nearly 10 years.
"We see a little bit of everything and you never know what kind of cute little thing the kids are going to come up with next," she said.
She likes to interact with the kids as much as possible. She came up with "The Principal's Luncheon."
Ten students get to go on stage with Warnecke and have a nice sit down lunch and chat with their principal about what is on their minds. She said she starts with the sixth graders at the beginning of the year and then works her way down to the kindergarten classes.
"That way I can get to meet every student in a relaxed atmosphere," she said. "It's just an informal lunch, but it means a lot to the kids."
It's rewarding to work with students, she said, "and help them when they have problems and provide them with the best educational opportunities. I really like being a role model for our youth.
"I had one student who wanted to come talk to me about his baby sister," she said. "It was a funny story, but it is something he felt he needed to share with me."
Being around kids all day has also helped her raise her own son, Max, 17.
"I think you learn things that are good for the kids at school and then you can apply that with your own kids at home," Warnecke said.
For example, she said reading to your kids at a young age is something people have said is good for kids, so she used to read to her son when he was growing up.
"I think sometimes you have to take what you learn and apply it to your own home life," she said.
With the help of a great staff, Warnecke said she is able to give each one of the students a great education and that means the world to her.
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.
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