The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) recognized Sam L. Wilkes, principal of Mesabi East Elementary School, Mesabi East School District (ISD #2711), with the 2011 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award. 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. He will be recognized by colleagues statewide on February 10, 2011 at the MESPA Awards Banquet – held at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel during the annual MESPA Institute, the statewide convention of Minnesota’s elementary and middle level principals.

In his principalship, Wilkes follows the philosophy of Mark Twain who said, “Let us so live that when we die even the undertaker will be sad.” Wilkes believes that “the most important goal of education is to foster the intellect of students, by teaching cognitive and critical thinking skills which enable the individuals to become life-long, socially interactive learners.”

Wilkes was nominated by Kraig Konietzko, principal at Moose Lake Elementary, in the Moose Lake Public Schools who stated: “Sam his been an active member in the Northeast division for 15 years. He has been a long-time committee member as our division’s membership representative. Sam has been a strong supporter of our organization and our division. He has hosted MESPA-sponsored staff development workshops at Mesabi East and regularly attends our three annual meetings during each school year.“