(St. Paul, MN – July 21, 2010) – Five members of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) recently joined elementary and middle-level educators and leaders from across the country in the nation’s capital during the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ National Leaders Conference to advocate for new policies that will give principals, who are the primary catalysts for shaping long-term school improvement, the tools they need to function as effective school leaders.  

They were: P. Fred Storti, MESPA Executive Director; Roger Aronson, MESPA Legislative Counsel; Jon Millerhagen, MESPA President (principal, Washburn Elementary, Bloomington); Kris Stueve, MESPA President-Elect (principal, Isanti Primary, Cambridge-Isanti); and Steven Geis, MESPA NAESP State Representative (principal, North Trail Elementary, Farmington).

These Minnesota education leaders took the critical needs of Minnesota schools directly to lawmakers on Capitol Hill during meetings with legislators to discuss legislative recommendations for the upcoming reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and principal professional development in early childhood education.

They called on Congress to provide new policies that strengthen professional development for principals and include standards for comprehensive early childhood programs as well as new policies that support high-quality leadership mentoring programs that sufficiently instill standards of performance in the principalship.

“Our K-8 schools provide the skills and content knowledge students need to succeed in life,” said Storti. “Principals call on Congress to ensure that all principals have the appropriate resources and support to ensure that the schools they lead are effective learning portals for 21^st century opportunity.”

For more information about the National Leaders Conference, visit www.naesp.org/NLC.aspx.

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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.

MESPA is the professional association of Minnesota’s elementary and middle level principals. With the vision to “be the premiere resource for preparing today’s principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education” and a statewide membership over 950 principals, MESPA has represented Minnesota’s principals since 1950.

Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) serves elementary and middle school principals in the United States, Canada, and overseas. NAESP leads in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle-level principals and other education leaders in their commitment to all children.

Image Gallery: MESPA Leaders Lobby in Washington D.C.
MESPA leaders join with MASSP leaders (Minnesota Association for Secondary School Principals)