The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) recognized Dave Riebel, principal of Lewiston-Altura Elementary School, Lewiston-Altura School District (ISD #857), with the 2011 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. He will be recognized by colleagues statewide on February 10, 2011 at the MESPA Awards Banquet – held at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel during the annual MESPA Institute, the statewide convention of Minnesota’s elementary and middle level principals.

In his principalship, Riebel likes to follow the philosophy in the quote by Walt Whitman that was used in the movie Dead Poets Society: “Oh me! Oh life! Of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless; of cities filled with the foolish. What good amid these, oh me, oh life?  Answer. That you are here. That life exists, and identity.  That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

Riebel was nominated by his Southeast Division peers, led by Division President Michelle Krell, principal at Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School in the Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools, who stated: “Dave Riebel has been a leader in the Southeast Division for several years. He has worked as a committee representative and most recently as division president. He has been a leader in innovative school improvement. This year his school will receive the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Blue Ribbon Award for significant gains in student achievement. This is the highest honor a school in the nation can achieve. This is testament to Mr. Riebel’s commitment to continuous improvement. As a division leader, Mr. Riebel has also been very helpful to his principal colleagues and models quality leadership. He is well respected and admired in the MESPA organization. Dave Riebel is a perfect example of a quality leader in our organization and should be commended for his outstanding leadership.”