 | MESPA Home > Honors > National Distinguished Principal > MESPA NDP History | | Jon Millerhagen 2012 National Distinguished Principal
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Jon Millerhagen, principal of Washburn Elementary School in the Bloomington Public Schools, and a member of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA), is Minnesota’s 2012 National Distinguished Principal (NDP). MESPA and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) present the prestigious award, which has corporate sponsorship from VALIC.
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 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.
“An individual doesn’t succeed unless the team succeeds, and the team doesn’t succeed unless all the individuals succeed,” said Millerhagen. “I encourage everyone in my school community -- students, teachers, parents, and myself -- the principal, to bring our ‘best’ to work every day.”
"Jon Millerhagen leads Minnesota educators with passion, enthusiasm, and integrity," said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director. "Jon is the real deal: a principal, an assistant scout master, and a national example of effective policy-to-practice in integrating pre-kindergarten to third grade early education. In the past year Jon briefed Congress on how the Bloomington district is integrating early childhood education into its K-3 system, and included a live Web cast from the pre-kindergarten classroom in his school. MESPA is honored to be represented by Jon."
“I met Mr. Millerhagen nearly 20 years ago when we were both active principals. I was impressed with his enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to the principal role. Today, I serve as his immediate supervisor and can say without hesitation that he still possesses the same drive, and in my opinion, exemplifies all of the characteristics sought in the National Distinguished Principal,” said Nancy Allen Mastro, Ed.D., assistant superintendent, Bloomington Public Schools.
“There is no uncertainty with Mr. Millerhagen,” Mastro continued. “He and his staff know where they are going, and they take the initiative to get there. As their leader, he has a strong ‘can do’ philosophy and the determination to match, which permeates the culture. During his tenure in Bloomington, he has moved his elementary school from being an adult-centered building to a student-centered school. He has done this by establishing a building-wide focus on learning. His non-negotiable approach has sent a clear message to staff and parents that has resulted in strong outcomes for students.”
Speaking to his three most significant accomplishments as a principal, Millerhagen cited:
- Washburn’s unique efforts to close the achievement gap. “About five years ago, as the free and reduced lunch demographics of our student population passed 45 percent, we began to investigate ways to support our poverty and English Learning (EL) students. We created an onsite four‐year-old preK program called KinderPrep, which supported our all-day kindergarten program called KinderPlus. These programs were offered at no cost to EL students and poverty families in our building. In the last three years, as our free/reduced lunch population has increased to nearly 60 percent, we’ve obtained grants to focus on closing the achievement gap with early education, literacy, Response to Intervention, out-of-school services, and family learning programs for the purpose of assuring that all children read at grade level by third grade. And we’ve developed the Washburn Family Academy, providing training for parents of the children in KinderPrep and KinderPlus, so they can support their child’s learning at home.”
- Mentorship. “A priority of mine throughout the years has been to honor our profession by encouraging strong teacher leaders to become principals. In these mentoring activities I have included internships, ethical and data-driven decision making, interview readiness, problem‐solving strategies, and parent communication skills.”
- Service to the principalship. “The most rewarding professional experiences in my career, along with the individual successes of our students and teachers, are my service to the principalship. During my five years as president–elect, president, and past-president of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association, I worked to advance the principalship by improving principals’ experiences at the local level and increasing the association’s political presence through education policy at the state and national level.”
“He can think outside the proverbial box,” said Mastro, “and relishes the opportunity to solve a problem. He realizes that he cannot do the work alone. Working with his team, he distributes leadership in such a way that he builds a coalition within the school and his community to achieve their intended outcomes.”
Millerhagen’s professional awards include: Leadership Achievement Award, MESPA West Suburban Division, 2005; MN School of Excellence validation for Washburn Elementary, 2001 and 2009.
Millerhagen’s professional activities include: Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA), president and president-elect, 2008-2012; MN School of Excellence Program, chair, 2004-2007; MN School of Excellence presentations at National Association Elementary School Principals, Minnesota School Board Association, and MESPA, 2006-2007; MESPA West Suburban Division, president, 1999-2004; MESPA Southeast Division, Legislative Resolutions committee representative, 1994-1997.
A short list of Millerhagen’s community service includes: Boy Scouts, Prior Lake, assistant scout master (2007-2012); Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Austin, board of directors, 1994-1997; YMCA, Austin, executive board, 1995-1997; Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, 1973.
Millerhagen has served 18 years in the principalship; the last 15 at Washburn Elementary in Bloomington, MN. Prior to that he was: principal, Neveln Elementary, Austin, MN, 1994-1997; grade five teacher, Scandia Elementary, Forest Lake, MN, 1980-1994; and grade five teacher, Luverne Elementary, Luverne, MN, 1977-1980.
Millerhagen received his superintendent licensure, education specialist, and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. He received his bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
The other finalists for this honor were: Mary Hanson, principal at Madelia Elementary School, Madelia Public Schools; and Mark French, principal at Rice Lake Elementary, Osseo Area Schools.
Image Gallery:
Millerhagen goes to Washington
Minnesota 2012 National Distinguished Principal Jon Millerhagen was honored in Washington, D.C., October 2012.
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| | “An individual doesn’t succeed unless the team succeeds, and the team doesn’t succeed unless all the individuals succeed,” said Millerhagen. “I encourage everyone in my school community -- students, teachers, parents, and myself -- the principal, to bring our ‘best’ to work every day.” --Jon Millerhagen
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| Mr. Millerhagen goes to Washington. | NDPs from across the country honored in Washington D.C.: October 18-19, 2012. Scroll down for photos.
The 2012 National Distinguished Principals program will take place October 18 and 19 in Washington, D.C. This prestigious two-day event, sponsored by VALIC and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, will honor 60 of the best principals from across the United States and overseas. Festivities include a reception at the National Archives hosted by the United States Department of State and a special recognition by honored guests including the Secretary of Education.
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| Education Conversation: Commissioner Cassellius and Jon Millerhagen. | Education Conversations is a cable television show hosted by Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. Each monthly episode features timely and relevant education topics delivered in a lively talk-show format. In Episode 9, Commissioner Cassellius interviews 2012 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Jackie Roehl, 10th-grade English teacher from Edina High School; and Minnesota's 2012 National Distinguished Principal of the Year Jon Millerhagen, principal of Washburn Elementary in Bloomington. Each guest shares information about their strategies for success in the classroom and, in particular, their commitment to closing the achievement gap. The program is posted for viewing at:
http://www.ctv15.org/index.php/programs/local/education-conversations.html
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