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MESPA Staff
| Michelle Krell 507-390-4161 The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) is proud to announce the selection of Michelle Krell as its new Executive Director. With her extensive experience and outstanding dedication, Michelle is the perfect fit to lead the organization and serve elementary and middle school principals. Michelle will begin her position on July 1, 2023 Michelle Krell brings with her 31 years of experience in education and has been the Director of Teaching and Learning and the Assistant Superintendent in the Owatonna Public School District for the past 6 years. Prior to her time in Owatonna, Michelle spent 13 years as a principal, starting her leadership career in Waseca, MN, where she and her staff led Hartley Elementary to become a National Blue Ribbon School. She then continued her career as an elementary principal at Kasson-Mantorville Elementary. Michelle then proudly led Kasson-Mantorville Middle School for two years before starting her tenure in Owatonna. Mrs. Krell's numerous accolades include the 2012 MESPA Leadership Award, the 2014 National Distinguished Principal, and the 2021 MASA Outstanding Central Office Administrator of the Year. Michelle is truly honored and humbled to be selected as MESPA’s next Executive Director. Michelle is enthusiastic, passionate, and dedicated to public education and will be a fierce advocate for the needs of principals. As a principal mentor, Michelle has the skills and knowledge to support other administrators in navigating the complex challenges and opportunities of the principalship. She believes that strong school leadership plays a critical role in student success and is passionate about inspiring, engaging, empowering, and supporting principals. |
| Roger Aronson Roger has practiced in the area of school law since 1981. A highly regarded school law expert, he co-chairs the Minnesota State Bar Association School Law Conference, is on the executive committee of BELL (the education lobbyist group), and frequently speaks and lectures on school law topics. In addition to representing MESPA members, Aronson is Special Projects Counsel for the Minnesota State High School League and represents MASSP (Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals). Aronson is a member of the Minnesota, as well as the National Council on School Attorneys. He is a graduate of St. John's University and the University of Minnesota School of Law. For more information on MESPA legal services, members can visit the Resources page here. |
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Bonnie Waldie
Membership and Finance Manager 952.297.8674 Bonnie@mespa.net Bonnie joined the MESPA team in August of 2022. She is honored to have the opportunity to assist Minnesota educators. Bonnie is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent several years working with special education students and at-risk youth. In her free time she enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, yoga, and spending time with her rescue French Bulldog, Chloé. Bonnie is excited to support the members of MESPA! |
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Christine Johnson
Program & Events Manager 952.297.8675 Christine@mespa.net Christine joined the MESPA team in November of 2022 as our Program & Events Manager. Before that, Christine held event related positions in Los Angeles and most recently the Twin Cities area. She attended school at the University of Colorado at Denver. |
 | Simone LaBonté Simone joined the MESPA team in June of 2023 as our Communications Manager. Before that, she worked in communications and user experience for multiple mission-driven organizations, including the Peace Corps and New Directions, Inc., a company that provided services to people with developmental disabilities. She sees accessible, user-friendly communications as a powerful tool to connect and support MESPA members. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and being outside--biking, hiking, traveling and growing food and pollinator-friendly plants in her local community garden. |