MESPA 2011 Division Leadership Achievement Award Recipients
Division_Leaders_Web
Award winners at the 2011 MESPA Institute Awards Banquet: front (l-r) Greg Seawell, Cheryl Kortuem, Joleen DeLaHunt, David Reibel, Kari Yates, Kraig Konietzko; back (l-r) Peter Olson-Skog, David Branch, Sam Wilkes, Gary Anger, and Todd Holthaus.

MESPA members selected 12 of their peers to receive the 2011 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award. This is an annual recognition with which principals honor their peers. Principals are responsible for a school’s instructional, school culture, and resource leadership. The award honors principals whose exemplary leadership and sustained efforts have made noteworthy contributions to the operation of effective school learning programs --  improving education, their communities, and their profession.




“Successful leaders serve their school and community. These men and women are leaders in our profession and truly represent the very best in Minnesota public schools,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director.  The awards were presented on February 10, 2011, at the association’s 56th Institute (annual statewide convention).

Gary Anger, South Suburban Division
Red Pine Elementary School
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools

David A. Branch, Minneapolis Division
Lucy Craft Laney Community School
Minneapolis Public Schools

Joleen DeLaHunt, Northern Division
Menahga Elementary School
Menahga Public Schools

Todd Holthaus, Southwest Division
Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School
Hills-Beaver Creek School District

Cheryl Kortuem, North Suburban Division
Crooked Lake Elementary School
Anoka-Hennepin School District

Dr. Fatima Lawson, St. Paul Division
L'Etoile du Nord Immersion School
St. Paul Public Schools

Peter Olson-Skog, East Suburban Division
Carver Elementary School
North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District

Dave Riebel, Southeast Division
Lewiston-Altura Elementary School
Lewiston Altura School  District

Greg Seawell, Central Division
Melrose Area Elementary School
Melrose Public Schools

Joe Wacker, West Suburban Division
Scenic Heights Elementary School
Minnetonka Public Schools

Sam L. Wilkes, Northeast Division
Mesabi East Elementary School
Mesabi East School District

Kari Yates, Western Division
Heart of the Lakes School
Perham-Dent Public Schools




Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
651.999.7310     MN toll free 800.642.6807    
Fax: 651.999.7311     E-mail: mespa@mespa.net