Joyce B. Dammer, principal at Churchill/Hoover Elementary Schools, Rochester Schools

In her principalship, Dammer stated: “I follow the advice of my father who positively affected many lives.  My father would consistently repeat the quote, ‘There is very little different between people, but it is the little difference that makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether the attitude is positive or negative.’’’

“Even in these challenging times in education,” Dammer continued, “it is our attitude and our positive outlook on life that will determine the successes of our students as well as our own successes.  My true North will always be the children that I serve and educators have an exciting opportunity to guide them in developing their own potential.”

In nominating Dammer for this honor, Dave Riebel (principal, Lewiston-Altura) stated: “Joyce Dammer has provided effective and collaborative leadership within our division for many years. As principals, we all look to MESPA as our link to collegial discussions and ideas on topics key to our administrative roles. Joyce epitomizes what MESPA can mean for its members. It is so easy to approach Joyce for either a professional, topical discussion or just to chat about our schools and life.”

Dammer lists the three most significant accomplishments of her career as:

• Receiving the International Reading Association: Exemplary Reading Program Award.
• Developing and implementing The Churchill Way (K-2) and The Hoover Way (grades 3-5).   “The Churchill/Hoover Way provides a foundation,” Dammer stated, “to assist our children in making behavior choices that are responsible, caring, respectful, and empathetic.”
• Being named principal at Churchill and Hoover Elementary Schools and receiving this Division Leadership Achievement award.  Dammer stated that the award is “an honor that acknowledges the efforts of every student, staff, and family of the Churchill/Hoover community.”

Dammer has held the following leadership positions within the MESPA Southeast Division: Division President and President-Elect, serving on the association’s statewide board of directors; Division Representative to the statewide Membership, Retirement, and EPAC (Elementary Principals Action Committee).

Her other educational honors include: Iowa Community Betterment for Education Grand Prize Award, Ashland Oil Golden Apple Award, and the National Scholastic “Kids Care” Award.  Dammer’s professional highlights include: authoring the multi-age curriculum for the Scholastic’s Literacy Place, serving as a reading consultant for Scholastic Inc., serving as past-president of the Southeast Minnesota Reading Council, and serving as an adjunct instructor at Winona State University.