In the hallways of Lincoln Early Childhood School, a 6'5" figure moves with purpose, greeting children by name as tiny arms reach up for high-fives and hugs. Some students barely reach his knees, but to Principal Joe Pilger, their stature couldn't matter less—these are his kids.

"I'm a guest at the party that happens here at Lincoln," says Pilger, whose humility seems inversely proportional to his physical presence. Recently named Citizen of the Year by the Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, he's still processing the recognition. "I scratch my head a little bit. I thought at first maybe there was a typo on the first name, thinking maybe it should be Amanda Pilger," he says, referring to his wife.

Joe's path to becoming a beloved elementary school principal wasn't straightforward. Born and raised in Macomb, Illinois, he arrived at Monmouth College as a football player, initially planning to become a physical education teacher before pursuing youth ministry.

"In high school, I thought, 'I'm going to be working with people in some capacity,'" Joe recalls. "If I went into a room full of people—same age peers, adults, or children—I gravitated towards the children, and the children gravitated towards me."

Dr. Craig Vivian, his college advisor, saw something Joe didn't yet recognize in himself. When Joe declared a physical education major, Vivian suggested elementary education instead. "You need to be in the classroom," he told Joe, who initially resisted the advice.

A practicum experience with third-grade teacher Beth Reedy changed everything. "I fell in love with elementary education," Joe says. "Beth Reedy is salt of the earth. I see her, she gives me hugs and tells me she loves me. I worked with her for three months... and it stuck."

After graduating in 2008, Joe taught fifth grade in Galesburg for three years before becoming an outreach worker for another four. During this time, he and a colleague pursued administrative degrees, setting Joe on a path that would eventually lead to his current role at Lincoln Early Childhood School, where he serves pre-K through first-grade students.

"During my time as an outreach worker, during my time as assistant principal, I would just gravitate more and more toward the foundational level students," he explains. "I was hooked."

This gravitational pull toward younger children mirrors Joe's priorities in his personal life. He and his wife Amanda, whom he met at Monmouth College, have four biological children ranging from first grade to high school freshman. For the past two years, they've also been fostering Joe's nephew James, a kindergartner at Lincoln, with adoption proceedings underway.

Joe's commitment to children extends beyond school hours. He coaches youth sports, though he's quick to clarify his motivation: "Largely that's to spend time with my son or my daughter. If I'm going to be there anyway, I want to be intimately involved."

What makes Joe exceptional isn't just his dedication but his understanding of education's deeper purpose. "The foundations of education, the foundations of life that my teachers are instilling into the kids—it's not just letters on a page or numbers on a page," he reflects, voice catching with emotion. "It's how to interact with people, problem-solving, conflict resolution, how to properly express joy... or to cope with times when things aren't going well."

This holistic view of education is informed by Joe's faith, which guides his approach to each day. "Jesus talks a lot about forgiveness and wiping slates clean," he says. "Kids come in, and I know that they need love. Whether they express that by reaching their hands up for a hug or they express that by throwing a handful of popcorn at me... God calls me to love them, and I'm going to."

Joe sees Monmouth's diversity as one of its greatest strengths. "You walk down the street, and you have six different languages within a three-block radius," he marvels. He's equally appreciative of the community organizations that help meet students' needs, enabling him to confidently tell children during morning announcements that help is available if they need coats or other essentials.

As Joe moves through Lincoln's hallways, stopping for spontaneous hugs and high-fives, the reason for his Chamber of Commerce honor becomes clear. In a world where children face increasing challenges, Joe Pilger stands—quite literally—as a towering figure of stability, compassion, and unwavering support.

When asked about protecting his students from any threat, his response is immediate and resolute: "This is our school. These are my kids."