Dr. Steven Geis, principal, North Trail Elementary School, Farmington Area Public Schools

(St. Paul, MN, March 2, 2010) – Dr. Steven Geis, principal of North Trail Elementary School in the Farmington Area Public School district, was elected by his peers to serve as NAESP State Representative for the Minnesota Elementary School Principal’s Association (MESPA). He will be the voice of Minnesota’s elementary and middle level principals to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), with a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2010 and running through June 30, 2013.

“I will take the awesome responsibility of being the MESPA NAESP State Representative extremely seriously,” said Geis, “and work as a servant leader to better our state and national organization which ultimately would benefit all of our students.”

MESPA is the professional association of Minnesota’s elementary and middle level school 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 29,500 members nationwide.

“The NAESP vision for our profession embraces the concept that principals are recognized as advocates for learning in a society that depends on knowledge and talent,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director.

“They take that responsibility and use their authority and influence to lead change,” Storti continued. “Principals are trusted to speak boldly for schools and effective systems of learning that serve all children. On behalf of the association, I congratulate Steven on his election and know he will continue representing the needs of MN principals and education.”

“There is an urgent need in education today for we are facing unprecedented times educationally, financially and globally,” said Geis. “As the MESPA NAESP State Representative, I will make sure our collective voice is heard in Washington D.C. and our capital, as well as at the national and state principal meetings.”

Geis has been a principal for 11 years, serving as an elementary and middle level principal, and has taught over 60 graduate educational credits for Saint Mary’s University. His past service to MESPA has included South Suburban 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.

Geis follows in the footsteps of Jean Clark, principal of Mississippi Heights Elementary in Sauk Rapids-Rice, who served two terms as MESPA NAESP State Representative, the maximum allowed by MESPA Bylaws. “I will work with Jean Clark to continue the great work she has done the past six years,” said Geis. “I have appreciated her leadership.”

The other candidate for the position was Mark French. French is the principal at Rice Lake Elementary, Osseo Public Schools. He has been an urban and suburban principal for the past 12 years – and has actively served his peers in MESPA as North Suburban Division President and President-Elect. He remains active as chair of the statewide Negotiations Committee.