Dr. Steven Geis, prinicpal at North Trail Elementary, Farmington School District

Geis sums up his thoughts about being an education leader with these words from Benjamin Franklin:  “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

In nominating Geis for this honor, Gary Anger (principal, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan) stated: “Steven Geis brings an energy to the South Suburban Division that is infectious. He raised participation in our division meetings by gaining monthly sponsors and using monthly themes for us to learn new things to make us better principals. His greatest assets come out when he works with the North Trail students. He loves his kids and they love to learn from him.”

In considering the most significant accomplishments of his career, Geis said: “Educational leadership is my passion, as I have been a secondary and elementary principal for the past 10 years. In my leadership role, I consistently work to create effective learning communities for the benefit of all stakeholders. I focus on both learning opportunities during the school day and beyond.” He cites three accomplishments he feels have profoundly impacted and inspired his students, their families, the educational staff, and the broader community.

1. Educational trips Geis has offered and continues to offer to students and their families. “The world is our classroom and when students and teachers experience learning on location it is remembered for a lifetime,” said Geis. “I have had the privilege of leading 10 week-long trips to our nation’s capital with well over 300 students and 10 teachers. This educational endeavor opened many new doors to the students at a critical point in their lives.  I also conduct educational trips in the Midwest and Wyoming geared at historical, cultural, and environmental lessons.”
2. Recognition of veterans through Veterans Day programs and activities. “Eleven years ago I started an annual Veterans’ Day Recognition Day the Friday prior to November 11,” said Geis. “The tradition grew into a community event with over 60 veterans attending the ceremony. After the ceremony, each veteran is assigned to a classroom to spend the afternoon sharing a bit of their firsthand experience to help students obtain a greater understanding of the human element of history. Each year I’ve focused on different wars and conflicts. Inspirational speakers have included Sen. Bob Dole, Sen. Mark Dayton, and General Denny Schulstad. Recognizing the patriotic community spirit, last year Farmington was honored as the first, and still only, Yellow Ribbon Community in the U.S. A large part of the recognition is due to our Veterans’ Day celebrations and the profound impact they have had on former students choosing to serve our nation in the military. Farmington has one of the highest per capita participating in the military in the nation.”
3. Being awarded the Japanese Memorial Fulbright Scholarship in 2008. “This was an educational treat,” said Geis. “My travels were focused on visiting several Japanese schools and universities and having many opportunities to meeting with the students and staff. As I traveled, I shared my cultural, educational, and culinary observations with our students, staff, and community through daily blogs and topical presentations I posted. Also, I wrote postcards to every one of my classrooms at North Trail, answering student and staff generated questions. I ensured that my learning would be passed on to many back home, as well as brought learning to those in Japan. Having an opportunity to be a student/ambassador for this period of time allowed me to reflect on the learning styles and environments that are needed to support a variety of individuals and the great need for strong educational leadership.”

Geis has held the following leadership positions within the MESPA South Suburban Division: Division President and President-Elect, serving on the association’s statewide board of directors; and Division Representative to the statewide Negotiations and Legislative Resolutions Committees.

His key professional educational honors include: Japanese Memorial Fulbright Scholar, participating in the Minnesota Principals’ Academy Cohort 1, serving on the Scholastic National Advisory Board, earning a doctorate degree from St. Mary’s University, and being selected for Safari Club International American Leadership and School Scholarship.