MESPA President Jon Millerhagen

As I come to the close of my second year as MESPA president, I reflect back on this wonderful journey. It has been enjoyable and rewarding well beyond my expectations. I have the utmost respect for our executive committee: President-Elect Kris Stueve, Secretary/Treasurer Tim Bell, NAESP State Representative Steven Geis, and Past-President Dick Oscarson. This team has made strong and effective decisions for our organization. I thank them for their dedication and commitment to MESPA.

The wisdom and great work of our Committee Chairs -- Joey Page, Legislative Resolutions; Bill Book, Retirement; Mark French, Negotiations; Joe Wacker, EPAC; Mary Hanson, Education Advisory; Jim Litwin, Membership; Matt Dorschner, MN School of Excellence -- places MESPA at the top of the list for principal associations nationwide. While at our national convention this spring, other association leaders inquired about MESPA and how we conduct business. They are quite impressed at how efficiently we serve members and get the good work done. 

I believe there is no finer association staff than our MESPA crew. Olivia Gault, Rosie Mitchell, Judy Bolduc, and Joan Kapaun get it done with class and have never let us down. Roger supports us superbly with legal and legislative counsel, and Fred is absolutely the best when it comes to executive directors. 

I am most proud of our association’s accomplishments in creating strong and effective relationships with our state and federal legislators. We have been able to positively affect policy that focuses on principal evaluations, bullying prevention, and early childhood education.

Thank you to the presidents and presidents-elect of our 12 MESPA divisions – who volunteer to lead and serve where you live and work, making us the grassroots association that we are. Our efforts these past few years to redefine the divisions and provide time and direction for their work for the association has been well received. A majority of our divisions have adopted a two-year presidency in order to establish continuity and improve the flow of service to you, our members. 

Finally, the good work from the board of directors in developing our strategic plan keeps MESPA focused on meeting the specific needs of our members. We benefit greatly from a well-defined and clearly articulated strategic plan.

As I hand off the presidency to the very capable hands of Kris Stueve, I leave you with a couple thoughts. Throughout my career, I have had the great fortune to experience more than my share of success. I believe this stems from the care and concern shown me by my colleagues and family members. When things don’t go so well, it is because I have been too focused on myself. When things go quite well, I believe it is mostly because I have been focused on helping someone else.

The top-level leadership WOOD BADGE program in the Boy Scouts of America uses the four statements that follow to describe this simple idea. 

Help other people at all times!
Other People at all times help!
People at all times help others!
At all times help other people!

If you replace “people” with PRINCIPALS, you capture the very essence of our Minnesota Elementary School Principal’s Association. The next time you consider participating in your division, or running for a MESPA office, know that your efforts will yield a tremendous return.

I leave with a big “Thank you” to all the leaders before me who created this powerful association , allowing me to enjoy the great success I have had as a principal. I am certain that Kris, Matt, Tim, Steven, Fred, and the staff will take the best of care in serving you.

Take care of MESPA, so MESPA can take care of you!

Contact Jon at jmllrhgn@bloomington.k12.mn.us.