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New Principal Seminar: Surviving and Thriving in the Principalship
10/1/2009
New_Principals__Class_of_2009_5
The Class of 2009-2010 (scroll to everyone's name on the right): with MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti (front, center), 2009 National Distinguished Principal Stacy DeCorsey (third from right), MESPA President-Elect Kristine Stueve (second from right), and MESPA President Jon Millerhagen (far right).
  A seminar for new elementary and middle level principals and new MESPA members (first and second-year principals, assistant principals, interns, and principals new to the state of Minnesota).  Build the network of peers and resources you need to succeed! The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA) presents the full day Surviving and Thriving in the Principalship seminar, with an optional second day of the Three-Minute Walkthrough seminar.

Practical advice from people who understand the flow of your work. Network statewide with others new to the profession and presenters who are practitioners in the field.  Seminar topics are designed to support you in your role as an elementary or middle level principal and MESPA member.

  • MESPA: the benefits of membership in a responsive, grassroots association.
  • School law for new principals with Roger Aronson, MESPA Legal and Legislative Counsel.
  • Data usage and Response to Intervention with Kerry Bollman, Instructional Services Coordinator, St. Croix River Education District
  • MESPA New Principal Mentorship Program led by Minnesota National Distinguished Principals (scroll to the flyer below for full details!)
  • Reflections from the 2009 Minnesota National Distinguished Principal, Stacy DeCorsey, Principal of Jordan Elementary (Jordan Public Schools).
  • Ask the Experts: advice from practitioners in the field, a panel of experienced currently active Minnesota principals including: 
    • Jon Millerhagen: MESPA President, Bloomington Schools
    • Kris Stueve: MESPA President-Elect, Cambridge-Isanti Schools
    • Stacy DeCorsey: 2009 National Distinguished Principal, Jordan Schools
    • Matt Dorschner: MESPA MN School of Excellence Program Chair, Eastern Carver County Schools
    • Yeu Vang: St. Paul Schools
  • Optional Day 2, the Three-Minute Walkthrough! An important tool to help you set your school on a continuous improvement cycle.
Comments from the Class of 2009-2010: 
  • I feel that I have an organization backing me and other members that are ready and willing to help me with whatever I am confronted with as a new principal. 
  • I look forward to becoming a more active member when I get my feet under me as a new principal.
  • Being introduced to the different resources is just what I needed at this point. It was all very helpful and good timing for me as I have just started my first year.
  • Great chance for networking and also a great source for resources.
  • It was helpful to hear the struggles successful principals experienced after accepting their first principalship. 
  • I appreciated hearing about all the ways MESPA will support us with training and access to experts.

Seminar registration: online or paper! To download a flyer with complete Surviving and Thriving in the Principalship seminar details and registration information, scroll down and click on the PDF below.
  • Seminar date and location: Thursday, October 1, 2009 8:00 a.m, Registration, networking, and continental breakfast 8:30 am. - 3:30 p.m., seminar TIES Education Center 1667 North Snelling Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108

    The seminar day includes continental breakfast, lunch, handouts, and administrator clock-hour credits (CEUs) . The cost is $95 for MESPA members, $150 for non-members.

  • Optional Day 2, Three-Minute Walkthrough seminar: To help new principals in guiding their staff toward a continuous improvement cycle, we offer an optional second day to the New Principals' seminar: the Three-Minute Walkthrough.

    Seminar date and location: Friday, October 2, 2009 8:30 a.m, Registration, networking, and continental breakfast 9:00 am. - 3:00 p.m., seminar Parkview Center School 701 County Road B West Roseville, MN 55113

    The seminar day includes continental breakfast, lunch, handouts, and administrator clock-hour credits (CEUs).

    A three-minute walkthrough is a brief, focused classroom visit. Learn to use this tool to guide your teachers and set your school on a continuous improvement cycle. Kathy Larson, national professional growth and development consultant, will lead you on the walkthrough, using the school as a live laboratory, allowing seminar participants to observe and use the process in its classrooms.

    The combined cost for the Surviving and Thriving in the Principalship (Day 1) and the Three-Minute Walkthrough (Day 2) for a MESPA member is $195. 



Get Acrobat Reader  New_prin_09_2.pdf  
Registration flyer for the October 1, 2009 MESPA New Principal seminar.
Get Acrobat Reader  MESPA_New_Principal_Mentor_Program_.pdf  
Flyer describing the MESPA New Principal Program: purpose, selection of mentors, timeline and expectations.
Get Acrobat Reader  MESPA_New_Principal_Profile_for_Mentorship.pdf  
Profile to be completed by all principals taking part in the MESPA New Princpal Program. This information will be used to match principals with mentors.

Image Gallery: Highlights from class of 2009-2010
“Being introduced to the different resources is just what I needed at this point. It was good timing for me as I have just started my first year.” “I feel that I have an organization backing me and other members that is ready and willing to help me with whatever I am confronted with as a new principal. I look forward to becoming a more active member when I get my feet under me as a new principal.” “Great chance for networking and also a great source for resources.” “It was helpful to hear the struggles successful principals experienced after accepting their first principalship.”
Group Portrait of the Class of 2009-2010: with MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti (front, center), 2009 National Distinguished Principal Stacy DeCorsey (third from right), MESPA President-Elect Kristine Stueve (second from right), and MESPA President Jon Millerhagen (far right). MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti Sue Thomas (Hazelden New Business Development Manager)presenting information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. See all 13 images.


Image Gallery: Highlights from the Class of 2008-2009

The class of 2008-2009 (names listed on this Web page) -- with MESPA President Dick Oscarson (center front, white shirt), MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti (second row, left, blue shirt), and MESPA President-Elect Jon Millerhagen (back, right, dark blue suit). MESPA President Dick Oscarson opened the day. MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti spoke on the benefits of associaton membership. See all 10 images.




"I feel that I have an organization backing me that is ready and willing to help me with whatever I am confronted with as a new principal. " To view a slideshow of photo highlights, scroll to the bottom of the page.


MESPA Class of 2009-2010
  • Dan Beert (Jackson County Central)
  • Lisa Edwards (Windom)
  • David Endicott (Ogilvie)
  • Barbara Evangelist (St. Paul)
  • Heidi George  (St. Paul)
  • Beth Giese (Cannot Falls)
  • David Giesen (Farmington)
  • Jeffrey Kuehn (Springfield)
  • Brenda Lewis (St. Paul)
  • Jeff Meyer (Milaca)
  • Kenny Newby  (Kelliher)
  • Peter Olson-Skog (North St. Paul)
  • Sam Richardson (Prior Lake-Savage)
  • Angela Scardigli (St. Francis)
  • Stacie Stanley (Roseville)
  • Todd Ufford (Eveleth-Gilbert)


New Principal Mentorship Program
Take advantage of the experience of Minnesota National Distinguished Principals -- as they work with you one-on-one throughout the school year! To take part in the New Principal Mentorship Program, scroll the the MESPA New Principal Profile for Mentorship PDF below. Complete the form and deliver it to the MESPA office (via e-mail or U.S. mail) by September 24 -- along with your registration for the New Principal seminar.

The mentorship program is separate from the New Principal seminar -- and you need not take part in the mentorship program to attend the seminar. The mentorship is optional and will take place over the course of the school year. Scroll down to the MESPA New Principal Mentor Program flyer for complete details.