Josh Koestler

I’ve lived in Rochester since 2007, but my roots are just south of here in Wykoff and Spring Valley. My dad was a Lutheran pastor of a small church, and my mom worked multiple jobs to keep food on the table. Growing up in that environment taught me early what many families in our region already know well: you budget carefully, you stretch what you have, and you look out for the people around you.

After graduating from Crossroads College (which used to be by the llama farm across from the mall!) in 2013, I worked as a paraprofessional for Rochester Public Schools for over 9 years. I supported special education at Willow Creek and Mayo; ran a writing lab at John Marshall; and supervised the media center at Century. Having the privilege to help so many students has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.

​

I’ve worked at the Rochester Public Library since 2022, which has given me a close-up view of how city decisions show up in people’s daily lives. The library is one of the only places left where everyone in Rochester, regardless of income, age, or circumstance, shares the same space. If you’ve visited recently, you’ve probably seen me at the Public Service Desk helping residents navigate what they need, and behind the scenes I work with our team to keep services reliable, efficient, and accessible. 

​

In my time working for the City, I have also been an active union member, dedicated to standing up for my co-workers because strong public services require workers who are supported, respected, and able to do their jobs well.

​​

My wife Ally and I are raising our five-year-old daughter in Ward 5, where she’ll start kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary next year. When I think about Rochester’s future, I’m thinking about the city she’s growing up in: its safety, its fairness, and whether we as a city are building something sustainable and forward-thinking for the next generation.