|  | | MESPA Home > Honors > National Distinguished Principal > MESPA NDP History |  | Diane Moeller, 2006 Minnesota National Distinguished Principal
 | | Diane M. Moeller |
(St. Paul, MN, May 16, 2006) – Diane M. Moeller, principal of Kennedy Elementary School in St. Cloud School District 742 and a member of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA), is Minnesota’s 2006 National Distinguished Principal (NDP). The U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), in corporate partnership with AIG VALIC, jointly sponsor the NDP program. “Research results prove what school communities know from experience -- successful schools depend on dedicated instructional leaders,” said Vincent Ferrandino, NAESP executive director. “This honor represents our deep appreciation to a few of those who are committed to the academic, social, and emotional development of school children.”
“MESPA is honored to be represented by Diane Moeller,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director. “Diane was nominated by her staff and selected by her fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by MESPA following criteria set by NAESP and the U.S. Department of Education,” Storti continued. Honorees must be active principals of schools  | | Diane Moeller and her students |
where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.
Jean Clark, principal of Mississippi Heights Elementary School, Sauk Rapids and chair of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) NDP selection committee, announced the award. “Diane is an incredible instructional leader and change agent,” stated Clark. “She listens to the needs of the community. She works to understand the culture of her building, and always does what is right for the students.”
Located in St. Joseph, Kennedy Elementary serves kindergarten - sixth grade students. “Schools must be learning organizations, and I invest a great deal of passion in learning,” says Moeller. She leads by example and sets the tone, providing direction and guidance for the staff, students, parents, and community members. Walkthroughs are Moeller’s favorite part of the day. She makes sure to get into each classroom every day. She asks, “How else can I ask critical questions about student achievement? The staff views me as a member  | | Diane Moeller and her students |
of the team to help students learn.”
Moeller’s instructional leadership is a major influence as she provides resources, time, coaching, reflection, collaboration, shared teacher leadership, and a risk-free environment in the pursuit of best practices. Student achievement is the school’s focus and is at the center of all decisions made. Moeller feels that one of the strongest accomplishments in her career as principal has been her ability to engage the community. Under Moeller’s leadership, the school has gone from a culture that focused on behavior to one that is more focused on learning. The change process required visioning and sharing of beliefs along with vigorous dialogue among all staff. Leading by example was critical to the school acceptance of this new approach that now is deemed highly successful.
The NDP program was established in 1984 to honor exemplary elementary and middle school principals who set the pace, character, and quality of education children receive during their early school years. The program highlights the fundamental importance of the school principal in achieving educational excellence for pre-kindergarten  | | Diane Moeller and her students |
through eighth grade students and reinforces their continued leadership in helping children develop a lifelong love of learning. One NDP principal is chosen annually from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The other MESPA finalists for this honor were Jolene Landwer, principal at Greenway Elementary Schools, Coleraine; and Bonnie Johnson, principal at University Avenue Elementary, Anoka. “All three NDP finalists are outstanding examples of elementary school principals in Minnesota. They are held in high regard and recognized for their professional strength, and leadership abilities by their communities and peers,” said Storti.
MESPA is the professional association of Minnesota’s elementary and middle level principals. With the vision to “be the premiere resource for preparing today’s principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education” and a statewide membership over 950 principals, MESPA has represented Minnesota’s principals since 1950. MESPA is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and its 30,000 members nationwide.
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