Red Lake Falls Principal, Jan Anderson,

Receives Professional Leadership Award

(St. Paul, MN, March 1, 2010) – The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) recognized Jan Anderson, principal of J.A. Hughes Elementary School, Red Lake Falls Public School District (ISD #630), with the 2010 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award. Principals are responsible for a school’s instructional, school culture, and resource leadership. The award honors principals whose exemplary leadership and sustained efforts have made noteworthy contributions to the operation of effective school learning programs --  improving education, their communities, and their profession.

 In summing up her educational philosophy, Anderson stated: “We have a school pledge at Hughes that says in part …’I am responsible for my own actions; I will do my best to work today.’  An old proverb stays that ‘If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.’ Students and staff continually work on personal responsibility. Everyone is encouraged to take pride in their work at school, to do their best, and to not settle for ‘good enough.’”

 Anderson continued, “A phrase I think about when dealing with students, parents, and staff over grades, discipline, placement, behavior plans, consequences, etc. is this: If this were my child or grandchild…”

 In honoring her colleague, Sharon Schultz (principal, Greenbush-Middle River Schools) stated: “Jan’s leadership style focuses on the whole student, and Jan puts her energy into each learner’s well-being. Her continuous professional development and study of effective school practices is an inspiration to other principals.”

 Anderson lists the three most significant accomplishments of her career as:

·         Team Building: “Working with a great team of dedicated teachers and para-professionals is an asset that I am most proud of,” Anderson stated. “I try very hard to give honor and recognition to staff for the great job they do every day. During my first two years as building principal, our para-professionals worked hard to meet the requirements of becoming highly qualified. Coming from rural Minnesota, professional development is limited for paras. As a team, we studied and worked through the University of Minnesota Para eLink competency training. This process was a great experience and brought our paras together as a problem-solving team.”

·         All-Day, Every-Day Kindergarten: “I know many districts have had All Day, Every-Day Kindergarten for several years,” Anderson stated, “but I am so excited about the all-day, every-day kindergarten program that was started in my school this year. Being a small district, I commend the school board and parents for their support and commitment. Teachers and parents are seeing the benefits that research has shown for many years.”

·         Early Childhood Programs: “I have worked hard to create a more consistent School Readiness program,” Anderson stated. “All pre-school students in our district are able to attend programming to help them get ready for Kindergarten. More than 95% of our students have attended some programming for two years.”

 Anderson serves in MESPA leadership as the secretary of the Northern Division.

 Her other educational honors include: 1993 Minnesota History Day Teacher; 2004 HP Technology for Teaching Grant and 2005 K-12 NP Technology for Teaching Leadership Grant; 2007 EDUTOPIA George Lucas Foundation What Works in Public Education documentary showing Technology Integration through the Glacial Ridge Project; 2009 MREA Profiles of Excellence Award of Distinction for Glacial Ridge Restoration Project.

 MESPA members selected 12 of their peers to receive the 2010 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award. Anderson was recommended by Randy Pederson, principal at Red Lake County Central Elementary School, and then nominated by her Northern division colleagues.  “Great principals lead great schools. These men and women are leaders in our profession and truly represent the very best in Minnesota public schools. As leaders, we focus on the potential and possibilities to ignite hope within our schools,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director.