How and why did you become a principal? 

When I started teaching I had many educators suggest becoming a principal. I started working on my administrative licensure in my first year of teaching.

What are you most proud of in your work? 

Churchill was awarded as a National Blue Ribbon School of Academic Excellence for closing the achievement gap. I am most proud of the work all Churchill staff have done to get this level of student achievement.

What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow?

Consistency and high expectations really matter in much of the work we do. Twice a year I've met with all grade levels regarding our school Code of Conduct. Expectations, social teaching, and how we want our school to be are set. Staff appreciate this and follow through supporting our Code of Conduct. The result is a pretty calm building.

What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced?

I exercise daily and make a point of doing the things I like to do. My wife and I have similar interests and appreciate living in the northland. I tell my staff that family is a priority and we still can work hard in our careers. We are best at our work when happy and healthy.

What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful

I would say that keeping students number one when forced with difficult decisions. I always say to myself " what's best for our students' as a guiding force. If we can do this it makes some of our decisions pretty clear.

How many years have you been a principal?

29 years

How and why did you become a principal? 

While working school-wide as an E/BD teacher, I became interested in administration at the encouragement of my building principal. I had already had the experience of working with all staff in a building, and was excited about the thought of serving alongside them in a new capacity.

What are you most proud of in your work? 

There is a tremendous amount of talent and expertise in the staff that I get to work with every day. It is an honor to support and encourage them as they serve our students. Together we have built a culture of collaboration that transcends beyond grade levels. We are a family.

Building connections with students is also important to me, and something I make time for every day. Prairie is a K-2nd grade primary school. I tell our young students to think of a Principal’s job as being a helper—that each day I need to make sure that everyone who comes to Prairie to learn and to work have everything they need to do their jobs. It’s really that simple; leadership is about empowering and supporting others.

What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow?

Teachers appreciate and need the gift of time. Beyond common prep time and lunch hours for small teams, we also have prioritized application time for any professional development we implement. In addition, a fun and simple idea used at staff meetings is to have a drawing for the “gift of an hour.” Teachers submit their names to win a free hour during a workday. I am the guest teacher for that timeframe. The only stipulation is that they need to choose to do something during that time that brings them joy. Educators can extend their planning time, catch up on LETRS training, or go watch a colleague teach, just to name a few ideas. I get bonus time with students, and the teacher gets to recharge for a short time.

At Prairie, we know it’s important to celebrate each other and our accomplishments, big and small. We have a number of practices in place to spread positivity and recognition for staff and students including Prairie Pride Awards (colleagues nominate each other for going above-and-beyond to serve others), the traveling Kids with Character rugs (where classes exhibiting positive character traits are recognized for their efforts with one of the three doorway rugs that move throughout the grade levels), and the LETRS Cheer Team (consisting of a group of ELA leaders who provide treats and even a little entertainment on our LETRS training days) to name a few.

What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced?

Every day, I make time to connect with family and friends, even if it’s just a quick text or phone call. I enjoy sports, music, my dogs, and being outside. I have appreciated MESPA’s focus on living life with gratitude and have purposely tried to be more reflective using a lens of gratefulness.

What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful

Relationships matter. Be a listener. You don’t have to have all the answers. Surround yourself with people who bring you positive energy. Establish a network of people who can support you during the times of high stress that can come with the work we do. Find a way to stay connected with students every day. Never forget why you became an educator in the first place—and let that bring you joy!

How many years have you been a principal?

This is my 10th year as Principal. Prior to that, I was the Assistant Principal at Prairie for 3 years.

How and why did you become a principal? 

I began my career as a second grade teacher at Farmington Elementary School in Farmington, MN. I finished my 6th Year Certificate with Minnesota State Mankato. I had great principals to look up to in Mr. Jon Reid, Dr. Margaret McKernan, and Peter Boelter. They were outstanding learners and always focused on how they could make things better for kids.

What are you most proud of in your work? 

I am most proud of my students and staff. They inspire me to do my best. I would do anything for them.

What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow?

We've had several success stories at WDC Elementary, it's hard to pick one. The Catalyst Approach with Jacki Brickman, Life Spaces Crisis Intervention-Teach to Heal with Danielle Theis are two of the best professional developers I have had a chance to work with.

What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced?

I enjoy spending time with my family and putzing around the farm. We also just installed a sauna which is relaxing.

What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful

Surround yourself with good people. Don't hesitate to reach out to your division colleagues if you find yourself stuck in a spot you may need help with. They've probably been there too.

How many years have you been a principal?

25

How and why did you become a principal? 

I never thought I would be a principal. I became a teacher right out of college and felt completely overwhelmed by the challenges of teaching in a massive, under-resourced urban district in California. I pursued a law degree with the intention of practicing human rights and immigration law, but after a few years I missed the vibrancy and urgency of a school community. I returned to the classroom as soon as I could. I've been a passionate educator in Oakland, CA, Hungary, China, and in Minneapolis. I loved participating in my professional learning communities in those school contexts. My colleagues inspired me, stretched me, and helped me to see how lucky we were to walk alongside our students on their learning journeys. I wanted to replicate those transformative experiences and lead a passionate group of educators to make excellent educational opportunities available to all kids. My core values are love, justice, and integrity, and they've centered my teaching and leadership practice.

What are you most proud of in your work? 

The vast majority of our students feel happy, safe, and connected to at least one staff member at school. We provide a loving, inclusive, and joyful learning community through strong instruction, arts residencies, inclusive play at recess, and opportunities to learn in our school forest. The teachers at Kenwood are passionate, dedicated, and collaborative, and our students' families invest their hearts and souls into helping make our school a vibrant place to gather and grow. We're teaching our children to be compassionate and engaged leaders in a vibrant democracy. I couldn't be prouder.

What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow?

My school community reflects the racial, socio-economic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of Minneapolis, inspiring us to learn from our students and families and co-create our school culture with them. Kenwood has changed significantly in the years that I've been here. For example, when I started, 3% of our children received English Language services. Now more than 15% of them do. We're very intentional about how we communicate with our families: we use communication platforms that allow them to read newsletters and school updates in their preferred languages; we've held family orientation/information nights for our families from Ecuador and from Afghanistan, knowing that our school community is very different from the ones their children may have experienced previously; we've hired Spanish and Pashto-speaking staff to help us communicate with our students and families effectively; and we call families to ask for their input on what's going well and what can be improved.

What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced?

I don't think I've mastered the work/life balance, but I keep trying! I exercise often, eat well, drink lots of water, and am intentional about scheduling time with friends. I love to plan fun vacations with my family. Joshua Tree, Chicago, the North Shore, and road trips to New England and the Southeast have been among our favorite adventures. Getting away to recharge is really important!

What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful?

Lead from a place of curiosity and compassion, never from fear.

How many years have you been a principal?

I've been a school administrator for 10 years, and a principal for 7 of those years.

How and why did you become a principal? 

I was motivated to become a principal when I experience the difference a quality principal makes in the lives of students, parents, and teachers. My mission is to make a difference in the lives of my students, parents, and teachers. As a servant leader I am focused on building trusting relationships with all of my stake holders at KMS Schools.

What are you most proud of in your work? 

Establishing a 21 century office that is focused on getting the principal into classrooms and observing teachers. After the observation I get to spend time coaching and encouraging the teachers I supervise. Also when meeting with teachers I get to share my servant leadership mindset. This helps teachers to understand my focus and mission. This builds a great foundation for trusting relationships.

What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow?

KMS Camp Read A Lot: 6 week summer program. It serves 100 students and the day is 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. It builds a positive fund balance.

What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced?

For 25 years I review the Rotary Club 4-Way Test. The 4-Way Test focuses on the things we think, say, or do which can be tested by 4 questions: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Wil it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful?

Remember the student you are disciplining today, can be your school board chair tomorrow. So, treat all students and parents like you would treat your School Board Chairperson or Superintendent.

How many years have you been a principal?

28 years

How and why did you become a principal? 

I became a principal after teaching K-12 Spanish as well as being a Behavior Specialist, and then ended up becoming a middle school assistant principal, and now a K-5 Elementary Principal. I became a principal, because I wanted to broaden my impact, and do whatever I could to support educators in their efforts to best support our students. My family has educators in it, the most influential was my grandfather, who I learned a lot from and looked up to my whole childhood. When he passed, I met many of his former students and players (he also coached) who shared the ways in which he impacted their lives and helped them learn and grow into the people they are today. I knew early on that I wanted to try my best to continue that legacy through my work.

What are you most proud of in your work? 

I am most proud of the relationships that I build and maintain with our students, families and staff. Birch Lake is a small elementary school with a huge heart, and having students, families and staff know that this is all of their school, that we want to see every student find their successes and feel prepared for the next chapter of their education after elementary. I am also extremely proud of the collaborative team of elementary principals that I get to work with. We share ideas, work towards aligning our practices for the best experiences possible for all students and staff in our system, and we have a lot of fun doing it. I become a better leader when I learn from other great leaders that I look up to, and see the impact that their leadership has.

What's something that's had success in your school that you think other principals could borrow?

Communication is key, and such a vital part of the work we do. Something that does not take a lot of time, but can go far, is having consistent, predictable and timely newsletters, both to staff and to our families. These have been a great way to connect regarding information about recent or upcoming events, and we can highlight the great things happening in and around our building each week.

What are some strategies you use to keep your work and life balanced?

I have been trying to use the Full Focus Planner this year, which I learned about at the MESPA, Managing to Lead Seminar with my administrative assistant. This has helped with goal setting, organization, and accountability.

What piece of advice would you give a new principal OR what piece of advice have you gotten that has been most useful?

Ask all of the questions. When I began as an Assistant Principal, I was able to work with a fantastic head principal, and shared a building with 3 other strong leaders. Asking the questions, whether it was about how to best do scheduling, manage a conflict, make observations meaningful and impactful, or even pointers to working with specific families, helped me grow as a building administrator, and prepared me for my current role as a building principal. The other advice I'd say, is to check in with your colleagues. Sometimes, administration can be isolating, but there are others ready and willing to collaborate, support, or process. It's ok to call a colleague to share something that went really well, and also when you may feel like crawling under your desk for a minute is the best next step. Offer yourself grace, because the work can be tough, but it is so rewarding to see the success of the work we get to do with educators and student each day. Not every profession gets to have such a profound impact on the lives of others, and that is one of the best responsibilities/tasks we have!

How many years have you been a principal?

3 years as a Middle School Assistant Principal and this is my 2nd year as an Elementary Principal.