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MESPA Home > Honors > MESPA Division Leadership Award > 2009 Awards
Warren Retzlaff, Central Division
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Warren Retzlaff, principal of Lakeside Elementary, Chisago Lakes
Educational philosophy: “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” (John Wooden)

“The most significant accomplishment of my 37 year career,” says Retzlaff, “has been the privilege of providing educational leadership to well over 6,000 students. I also am proud of hiring and working with so many wonderful educators, and of Lakeside Elementary School achieving a Five Star rating on the MCA report card.”

In nominating Retzlaff, Joe Thimm (principal, Chisago Lakes) said: “Warren is well-respected by his peers and has served as a mentor to many new principals. He is always ready to help when a need arises. He is always there is you need a question answered or advice about a problem you may have. Warren is not one to seek recognition but instead just does his job and makes sure he works hard for every student. His motto should be “Kids First,” because this is not only followed, but at Lakeside it’s practiced. Warren deserves this honor but he would be the first to say you don’t honor someone for doing their job.”

Other recognitions: MESPA division president, Negotiations Committee representative; Leadership in Educational Excellence award, Resource Training and Solutions; Outstanding Achievement in Pursuit of Excellence in Education, State of MN award presented by Gov. Perpich; Outstanding Humanitarian Effort award, raising relief funds for students affected by Hurricane Katrina; State Champion and five-time Regional Champion, Minnesota Odyssey of the Mind.




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.

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