NEW SHARON – North Mahaska’s administrative team for the 2023-24 school year is complete with the hiring of Josh McCollam as junior-senior high principal. McCollam has spent the past 10 years in the Pella School District as teacher, instructional coach and girl’s tennis coach.
McCollam has been an educator for 15 years after receiving his degree in secondary mathematics from Central College in 2008. He received his Master in Educational Administration from Dordt College in 2020.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as the principal for North Mahaska Junior/Senior High,” said McCollam. “North Mahaska has a great reputation, and I am honored to be a part of continuing that tradition. I am eager to begin working alongside the staff and partnering with parents and community members to help the students of North Mahaska achieve their goals and reach their potential.”
The Cherokee native began his teaching career at Chariton as high school math teacher and boys tennis coach. He spent one year at Knoxville before moving to Pella, where he taught 7-12 math and computer science. He taught the Project Lead the Way (Design and Modeling, Robotics, Computer Science).
He also served Pella as instructional coach, technology content advisor and coaching girl’s tennis.
He is married to Nathalie since 2013 and has two boys, Jasper (6 years old) and Owen (4 years old).
Outdoor activities are a mainstay for the McCollams.
“My interests include golfing, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings, and spending time with my family,” said McCollam. “As a family we spend a lot of time at the soccer and baseball fields, going to the pool, building with LEGOs, and playing games.”
McCollam will begin his tenure on July 1.