|  | | MESPA Home > Honors > National Distinguished Principal > MESPA NDP History |  | Roseville Principal, John Ahern, 2005 National Distinguished Principal
 | | John P. Ahern |
(St. Paul, MN, May 16, 2005) – John P. Ahern, principal of Edgerton Elementary School in Roseville Public School District 623 is Minnesota’s 2005 National Distinguished Principal (NDP). Jean Clark, principal of Mississippi Heights Elementary School, Sauk Rapids and chair of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) NDP selection committee, announced the honor late on Friday, May 13.
The U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), in corporate partnership with AIG Retirement, jointly sponsor the program. “Research results prove what school communities know from experience -- successful schools depend on dedicated instructional leaders,” said Vincent Ferrandino, NAESP executive director. “This honor represents our deep appreciation to a few of those who are committed to the academic, social, and emotional development of school children.”
“MESPA is honored to be represented by John Ahern,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director. “John Ahern was nominated and selected by his fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association following criteria set by NAESP and the U.S. Department of Education,” Storti explained. "Honorees must be active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.”
“It Starts With Me,” the motto at Edgerton Elementary, “motivates all of us at Edgerton to be responsible and committed to improving ourselves personally and professionally, so that our students’ achievement and self-worth continues to show growth,” said Ahern. “Edgerton’s mission is to recognize the uniqueness of each student, and develop in each student a positive attitude toward learning and strategies to achieve immediate and life long goals.”
Guided by the Edgerton school vision, Keeping Children First, Ahern’s learning community achieves excellent academic results and since 1995, Edgerton has had the highest rating for overall satisfaction in the Roseville school district from parents, staff, and students.
Keeping Children First “is far more than just a written statement,” according to Dave O’Connor, Roseville deputy superintendent. “John Ahern is a strong advocate for all students at Edgerton School. This is demonstrated by the investment and distribution of resources to support a highly diverse student population. He has successfully fostered teacher leaders to assume responsibility.”
Ahern’s noteworthy career accomplishments include continuous improvement in school atmosphere, academics, diversity awareness and training, and professional learning for staff and community. Peg Kennedy, the Roseville district manager of community programs said that, “Edgerton probably deals with the greatest challenges in the district …(and is) having tremendous success. I wish there was a way to share Edgerton’s experiences and best practices with other buildings.”
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.
The other MESPA finalists for this honor were William Burwell, principal at Horace May Elementary and Solway Elementary Schools, Bemidji; and Bonnie Johnson, principal at University Avenue Elementary, Anoka. All three NDP finalists are outstanding examples of elementary school principals in Minnesota. They are held in high regard and recognized for their professional strength, and leadership abilities by their communities and peers.
MESPA is the professional association of Minnesota’s elementary and middle 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 30,000 members nationwide.
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