 | 2012 Division Leadership Award, Les Koppendrayer
The
Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) recognized Les Koppendrayer, principal of Franklin
Elementary, Mankato Public Schools, with the
2012 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 was recognized by colleagues
statewide on February 2, 2012 at the MESPA Awards Banquet – held at the
DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington Hotel during the annual MESPA Institute, the statewide
convention of Minnesota’s elementary and middle level principals. Les Koppendrayer was nominated by Richard Lund, principal at Rosa
Parks Elementary, in the Mankato Area Public Schools. On behalf of
MESPA Southwest Division principals, Lund stated: “Les Koppendrayer has
been a successful and dedicated principal at Franklin Elementary for the
past 18 years. He has been the leader of a community of learners who
are “Dedicated to Literacy”. Franklin is a world school that celebrates
its diverse students and families. The Franklin Elementary Family has
shown its dedication to the school and Mankato community through
piloting programs that reach out to the students and the surrounding
community, including the Backpack Food Program and the School-Based
Mentoring Program. Les has been the mentor to many teachers on special
assignment, as they filled the role of assistant-to-the-principal at
Franklin Elementary. Many of these candidates have gone on to be
successful building leaders.”
Considering his most significant
career accomplishments, Koppendrayer stated: “In the fall of 2011, I
implemented of a full Response to Intervention (RtI) model, which
involves a significant schedule change, a focus of resources, progress
monitoring, and an intensive problem-solving framework that involves all
teachers who teach reading. In 2002-2004, we significantly raised
academic achievement for students in the area of reading through the
writing and implementation of a Reading Excellence Act grant. In 1991 I
was selected to participate in the South Korea/United States Math
Symposium held in Seoul. This was an opportunity for leading math
educators from both countries to meet and share ideas.”
To read more about Koppendrayer and the award, click here.
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