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5/4/2009 3:40 PM | | Stacy DeCorsey, 2009 National Distinguished Principal |
(St. Paul, MN, May 4, 2009) – Stacy DeCorsey, principal of Jordan Elementary School in the Jordan Public School District (Minnesota ISD #717), and a member of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA), is Minnesota’s 2009 National Distinguished Principal (NDP). This marks the 26th year the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) have presented the prestigious award, which has the corporate sponsorship by VALIC.
“At the helm of every successful school is a successful principal,” according to Gail Connelly, NAESP executive director. “Our National Distinguished Principals program provides us with an opportunity to recognize the outstanding leadership of these principals and their commitment to creating successful learning communities. Because of them, students thrive academically, teachers grow professionally, and communities are strengthened.”
“It’s important to have a willingness to be involved in discovery….participate rather than plan. Think creatively, be brave, and embrace progressive thinking. This is the time for change….,” said DeCorsey.
“MESPA is honored to be represented by Stacy DeCorsey,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director. “As instructional leaders, we know that great principals lead great schools. We know that as leaders we focus on the potential and possibilities to ignite hope within our schools. We develop processes through which challenges are transformed into opportunities. Stacy is a leader. She was nominated by her staff and community, and selected by her fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by MESPA following criteria set by NAESP and the U.S. Department of Education,” Storti continued.
“Mrs. DeCorsey truly represents the qualities embodied in an excellent, authentic leader,” said Matt Hillmann, principal at Chatfield Elementary in Belle Plaine, when nominating DeCorsey for the NDP honor. “She has led by example. She has been an excellent resource and mentor for me – a young principal in a neighboring district. Mrs. DeCorsey has been, in my opinion, one of the most courageous leaders in our state. She has endured very difficult political conditions and continues to perform her duties at a high, professional level.”
“The Jordan School District’s success with students, parents, and community is directly related to Stacy DeCorsey’s vision and dedication,” said Kirk Nelson, Superintendent, Jordan School District. “Stacy has made her colleagues better and the district successful by her leadership demonstrating best practice, motivation, and a positive approach. Stacy understands that success comes from building relationships and encourages all constituents toward continuous improvement. Stacy DeCorsey is one of those rare individuals whose influence changes lives. Her extraordinary leadership, boundless energy, and incredible attitude combine to make her the ideal educational leader.”
DeCorsey feels that the three most significant accomplishments of her career in the principalship are: setting a standard for professional accountability, requiring data-driven decision making, and recognizing the whole child in students. “By setting a standard for professional accountability and competence and by refusing to settle for less, my leadership has transformed a more traditional staff to trust their professional judgment, to stretch themselves both personally and professionally and to rediscover their love of teaching and learning,” said DeCorsey.
“By requiring data-driven decision-making and best practices, my leadership has created a systematic approach to assessing and reviewing instructional methods and materials,” DeCorsey continued. “Individual student growth is more important to be than being found ‘adequate’ by state or national standards.”
“By recognizing that student learning requires us to consider the whole child, I feel that ‘out of the box’ efforts such as a healthy snack cart, Blessings in a Backpack, Healthy Kids Committee, all school Inventors Fair, STARS gifted program, SMART room, family movie night, or having bottles of water at each desk and exercise balls instead of chairs, have made Jordan Elementary School a healthy and safe place for children to grow and learn,” DeCorsey concluded.
Two years ago DeCorsey started the Blessings in a Backpack program, sending home food-filled backpacks weekly with kids who qualify for free and reduced school meals. Cities 97 (radio station) recently selected Blessings in a Backpack as one of the 46 charities from around the state to receive a one-time grant from the Cities 97 Sampler Vol. 20 proceeds (CD sales). Jordan Elementary will receive a check for $10,500 to support the backpack program.
DeCorsey’s professional activities and awards include: Minnesota NDP Finalist, 2008; Jordaness Lion Membership Excellence Award, 2007; National Association of Elementary School Principals member for 10 years; Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association member for 10 years; MESPA Elementary Principal Action Committee representative; St. Cloud Principals Union member for three years; Glencoe/Silver Lake School District Vision Committee for three years; ARC Suburban “Inclusion Teacher of the Year” 1994.
A short list of DeCorsey’s community contributions include: “Blessings in a Backpack” program at Jordan Elementary, for two years; Jordaness Lions Club for four years, serving as lion tamer and Dictionary Project leader; Jordan Art Festival Committee for three years; Art for the Heart, Scott County board member for five years; diversity outreach-working closely with Hispanic community, organizing events to help them raise funds to get kids into summer programming; Business and Professional Women, Glencoe, MN for three years; Jordan People for a Public Pool Committee for six years; Jordan Community Coalition member for seven years; and Jordan Independent Newspaper Advisory Board.
DeCorsey has been in the Minnesota education community since 1998. She has been the principal at Jordan Elementary in Jordan since 2003, and before that was the principal at Westwood Elementary in St. Cloud for three years, and Dean of Students at Glencoe Silver Lake High School in Glencoe for two years. She received her superintendent and K-12 principal licensures, as well as her Masters in Education from Saint Mary’s University in St. Paul, MN; and her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Special Education from Dakota State University, Madison, SD.
The other MESPA finalists for this honor were Nancy Kluck, principal at South Elementary Learning Center in St. Peter, and Sanford Nelson, principal at Rossman Elementary in Detroit Lakes. “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,” said Storti.
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.
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