One cat was already out of the bag: Principal Katie Loss of Lloyd Barbee Montessori School was one of eight MPS educators to be honored recently by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. But hearing that she was the 2026 Wisconsin Elementary Principal of the Year — chosen from 15 principals nominated across the entire state — came as a complete surprise.  

A surprise to her, that is, but to the adults and children gathered in the school auditorium who know Mrs. Loss, the honor was fitting.  

“She cares deeply for her staff; for you all, the children; and for the spirit of this building. Her heart and soul are rooted in ensuring that every child is seen, supported, and successful,” MPS Montessori coordinator Abigail Rausch said at the assembly honoring Mrs. Loss on Wednesday, April 9.  

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, EdD, told the students gathered in the Barbee auditorium, “The principal is really there for the teachers — they work as a team to make sure you all get what you need in school.”  

“I’m so proud of Principal Loss for everything she’s done in the past 14 years here at Lloyd Barbee that’s made this an excellent school. It’s not easy to exceed expectations,” Dr. Cassellius said, a reference to the school’s rating of Exceeds Expectations on its state-issued report card. 

Milwaukee school board Director Darryl Jackson said Principal Loss “exemplifies true leadership.” And Academic Superintendent Kurt Schneider told Mrs. Loss, the first principal he met on his first day at MPS, that the welcome and support she gave him when he was new last year “is a credit to your integrity, and who you are, and your character.” 

The Elementary School Principal of the Year award is presented by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, with support from the Kohl Educational Foundation. 

“On behalf of AWSA, I am proud to congratulate Catherine Loss on being named the 2026 Wisconsin Elementary School Principal of the Year,” AWSA Executive Director Jim Lynch said in a prepared statement. “She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to students and families, creating a school where all learners can grow and succeed. Her leadership is an inspiration.” 

Mrs. Loss became Lloyd Barbee principal in 2012 but has been at the school since its beginning in 2008, first working as an administrator alongside the principal at the time, before becoming assistant principal in charge.

“It’s like my baby,” she said. Lloyd Barbee School, which opened in the former Garden Homes School at 4456 N. Teutonia Avenue, was named for the prominent Milwaukee civil rights leader and state representative who worked in the 1960s and ’70s to desegregate Milwaukee Public Schools.  

Inspired by her high school art teacher, Mrs. Loss majored in art in college and decided she wanted to teach. She taught art at Mitchell Street School for 11 years. “I loved writing curriculum and integrating art into the whole curriculum," she said in an interview.  

She was a teacher in residence for two years at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and helped teach college classes there while remaining with MPS. After receiving a state license to teach reading, she became a reading teacher and literacy coach at MacDowell Montessori School. “I also fell in love with Montessori at MacDowell,” she said, and remained there for six years, until being asked to help start Lloyd Barbee School. 

“It’s a big family” is how Mrs. Loss describes the culture of Lloyd Barbee School, which serves children from 3-year-old kindergarten through 8th grade. “That’s what everybody always says, everybody that works here. … When we run into a problem, we work on that problem together. My teachers are very strong. They have leadership teams; they work in their professional learning communities as leaders, and they help each other. If somebody’s struggling, we’re there for them. That’s really important about family.” 

The families of the students tend to tell relatives and friends looking for a school about Barbee, Mrs. Loss said, and the children who enroll stay. The two 8th-graders who presented her with an orchid on stage during the assembly have been attending Barbee since they were 3 years old, she noted. 

I love the kids here; I love the teachers here. I think that word love embodies everything I do.

"I always try to respect everybody, respect the children, respect the families, and really create an environment where I’m leading by example. And I’ve had leaders that have done that for me. I’ve seen people who are just kind and give you that grace,” said Mrs. Loss.  

After accepting her award, the principal told those gathered, “I really love you guys, and you all know that. I am getting this award because of all the students’ hard work and all of the teachers’ hard work, and all the paraprofessionals and everybody who works here.” 

“They are why we are able to be a successful school,” Mrs. Loss said. 

Milwaukee Public Schools celebrates all its educators who recently were recognized for their excellence in education and leadership. See the full list of MPS’s Kohl Educational Foundation honorees here.