|  | | MESPA Home > Honors > MESPA Division Leadership Award > 2008 Awards |  | Dr. Gail M. Swor, West Suburban Division
 | | Dr. Gail M. Swor, principal of Poplar Bridge Elementary in the Bloomington School District (ISD #271) |
Dr. Gail M. Swor was nominated by her peers in the West Suburban MESPA Division because of her commitment to modeling and promoting leadership in the principalship. In nominating Dr. Swor, Joan Maland (principal at Indian Mounds Elementary and current president-elect of the West Suburban division) said: “We know as leaders to expect the unexpected, and deal with it in a way that demonstrates flexibility and desire to maintain the integrity of the institution. Gail did just that. One year ago, Gail stepped into the role of division president with the understanding of a one-year commitment. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, when the president-elect was unable to fulfill the president obligations, Gail, without hesitation volunteered to continue with the leadership responsibilities.
“Gail is an active, reflective principal. She thoughtfully considers all the options when discussing challenges that we face on a daily basis. All of her Bloomington colleagues have benefited from that skillful thinking-both through her suggestions to us and as a model for that kind of forward thinking.
“Gail proudly represents the principalship in many venues. She is active in MESPA activities, Bloomington initiatives and leads a successful program at Poplar Bridge Elementary School. She mentors the less experienced principals in the Bloomington district and generously shares her techniques for success in the principalship with her colleagues. Thomas Sergiovanni talks about the ‘Head, Heart and Hand’ of the principalship, and the balance of all three to make a successful leader. Gail Swor daily models the ‘Head, Heart and Hand’ of skillful leadership, benefiting all her principal colleagues.”
Dr. Swor offers two quotes that guide her actions as a principal and reflect on her educational philosophy. First, the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The secret in education lies in respecting the student.” Second, an anonymous but frequently-adapted phrase: “If you think you can, you will. If you think you can’t, you won’t.”
In accepting this award, Dr. Swor stated that the three most important accomplishments of her career are: successfully leading her school through the rigorous Minnesota School of Excellence process and receiving endorsement for Poplar Bridge Elementary as a 2003-2004 Minnesota School of Excellence; providing leadership for a $5.7 million renovation of Poplar Bridge Elementary; and providing leadership for the development and implementation of the Classroom of the Future concept at Poplar Bridge.
Currently, Dr. Swor is among three statewide finalists for 2008 Minnesota National Distinguished Principal. She has served for the last two years as the president of the West Suburban MESPA Division and a year before that as President-elect. Swor also served for two years as president of the Bloomington Principals’ Association. She received her master degree in elementary education and doctorate in educational administration from the University of MN, and is a member of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi.
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