Dr. Gail M. Swor Selected 2008 National Distinguished Principal

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Dr. Gail M. Swor, 2008 National Distinguished Prinicpal, principal at Poplar Bridge Elementary, Bloomington

(St. Paul, MN, May 5, 2008) – Dr. Gail M. Swor, principal of Poplar Bridge Elementary School in the Bloomington Public School District (Minnesota ISD #271), and a member of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA), is Minnesota’s 2008 National Distinguished Principal (NDP). This marks the 25th year the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) have presented the prestigious award, which has the corporate sponsorship by AIG Retirement.

“At the helm of every successful school is a successful principal,” according to Gail Connelly, NAESP executive director. “Our National Distinguished Principals program provides us with an opportunity to recognize the outstanding leadership of these principals and their commitment to creating successful learning communities. Because of them, students thrive academically, teachers grow professionally, and communities are strengthened.”

“I am deeply honored to represent the nearly 1,000 elementary principals in the state of Minnesota as the 2008 National Distinguished Principal,” said Dr. Swor. “I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and have made it my mission in life to do so,” she continued. “The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association has been a big part of my professional life for the last twenty-two years as an administrator. It has provided me with incredible staff development as well as leadership opportunities. I am extremely proud to be a part of this organization.”

“MESPA is honored to be represented by Gail Swor,” said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director. “Gail was nominated by her staff and community, and selected by her fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by MESPA following criteria set by NAESP and the U.S. Department of Education,” Storti continued. “Honorees must be active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.”

“Gail is a superb leader and her passion goes to creating success for her school, her students, and everyone she works with in the district,” said Jon H. Millerhagen principal at Washburn Elementary in Bloomington and statewide MESPA president-elect, when nominating Dr. Swor for the NDP honor honor. “She will represent the principals of Minnesota with intelligence, creativity, and enthusiasm.”

Swor feels that the three most significant accomplishments of her career in the principalship are: receiving validation as a Minnesota School of Excellence, starting a Big Brother/Big Sisters school chapter, and introducing programs for struggling learners.

Swor’s school was validated as a Minnesota School of Excellence in 2003-04. In reflecting on receiving that endorsement, she said: “This was a cooperative effort of staff, parents, and community education. It acknowledged the high expectations and standards we hold ourselves accountable to as well as providing us with an opportunity to reflect on best practices utilized in our teaching.”

On starting a Big Brothers/Big Sisters chapter at Poplar Bridge Elementary, she said: “We have actively engaged the community by enlisting volunteers from our business partners, former parents, as well as other community members to meet the social needs of many of our students.”

On introducing two specialized programs to meet the needs of struggling learns, she said: “Our Classroom of the Future ALC program and Project Read are designed to assist in ensuring student achievement with students needing an alternative approach to learning. Both programs have given students increased self confidence and the encouragement to continue working towards success.”

“Dr. Swor has built a community, not just a school,” said Lisa Bowen, a parent with three children attending Poplar Bridge Elementary. “With all of the experiences (we’ve had) interacting with Dr. Swor, both from my children’s eyes and our eyes,” Bowen continued, “every experience she has brought to our children has come from her heart and her knowing her job so well. Dr. Swor has created an environment for students to be successful no matter what their challenges are. Dr. Swor has built a community of mutual respect with staff and students. Dr. Swor expects no less from the students but respectfulness and kindness to everyone who walks her hallways. Dr. Swor empowers her staff to do their jobs to the fullest. She is an amazing leader, person and community figure. She is what all principals should be made of to make our world a better place.”

The NDP program was established in 1984 to honor exemplary elementary and middle school principals who set the pace, character, and quality of education children receive during their early school years. The program highlights the fundamental importance of the school principal in achieving educational excellence for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students and reinforces their continued leadership in helping children develop a lifelong love of learning. One NDP principal is chosen annually from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Dr. Swor’s Bloomington Public Schools professional leadership activities include: Leader of three pilot programs at Poplar Bridge Elementary; Bloomington Professional Development Fund; District Staff Development; Labor Relations Management; Principal Negotiations Team; Assistant Superintendent Advisory Committee; Superintendent Search Committee.

Dr. Swor’s professional activities and awards include: best practices presentations at the Character Education National Convention in 2006, the MESPA Institute (statewide annual convention) in 2008, the ASCD National Convention in 2008; MESPA West Suburban division president 2006-08; MESPA West Suburban division president-elect, 2005-06; West Suburban Division Leadership Achievement Award, 2007; MESPA Twenty-Five Year Club, 2004; Phi Kappa Phi honor society, 1988; Phi Delta Kappa, 1987.

A short list of Dr. Swor’s community contributions include: Advisory Board for Twin Cities Big Brothers/Big Sisters since 2005; Advisory Board for Language Circle (Project Read) since 2005; chair, Stonebridge of Lilydale Association Architectural Committee since 2006; Stonebridge of Lilydale Association Executive Board since 2004.

Dr. Swor has been in the Minnesota education community since 1971. She has been the principal at Poplar Bridge Elementary in Bloomington since 1991, and before that the assistant principal at Olson Elementary in Minneapolis for two years, and the assistant principal at Greenvale and Longfellow Elementary Schools in Northfield for two years. For fifteen years (1971-1986), Swor taught at Riverwood and Hayes Elementary Schools in Fridley. She received her Doctor of Education and Master of Education from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (1998, 1978 respectively), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline University, St. Paul, MN.

The other MESPA finalists for this honor were Stacy DeCorsey, principal at Jordan Elementary School in Jordan, and Joan Steffes-Franks, principal at Armatage Community and Montessori School in Minneapolis. “All three NDP finalists are outstanding examples of elementary school principals in Minnesota. They are held in high regard and recognized for their professional strength, and leadership abilities by their communities and peers,” said Storti.

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.

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