LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION
Nita Kumar named
NAMI professional
of the year for
Minnesota
Dr. Nita Kumar, Anoka-Hennepin’s mental
health consultant, was recently named the
National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)
Minnesota Professional of the Year. Kumar
was recognized at the NAMI Minnesota
conference in November.
The award recognizes a professional or staff
person who provides high quality services,
exemplifies best practices and demonstrates
commitment to and leadership in the field of
mental health.
Kumar, who has worked in the district
since 2012, has over 20 years of experience
working with at-risk youth. The focus of her
work is to create, implement, and direct the
district’s mental health program. Through her
work, School Board support, and community
support, resources are in place to mitigate
the impact of mental health issues on student
learning and well-being.
The district currently has full-time,
embedded mental health professionals in
all 42 schools. Anoka-Hennepin also offers
early childhood therapy services, mental
health screening, mental health therapy
intern model, capacity building with staff,
and extensive community and government
engagement. n
Dr. Eric Melbye, associate superintendent for middle
schools and student services and Bill Harvey, school
board treasurer recognized Kumar at a recent school
board meeting.
Superintendent of the year
cont. from page 1
Law has been superintendent of Anoka-
Hennepin schools since 2014, and is a district
alumnus, having graduated from Coon Rapids
High School in 1987. From there he earned
a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from
Hamline University, in Saint Paul, and then
a law degree from William Mitchell College
of Law, also in Saint Paul. He completed his
superintendent’s licensure at the University
of Minnesota. During his educational career,
Law has been a teacher, assistant principal,
principal, assistant superintendent, and
superintendent.
MASA is a private, nonprofit member
service organization representing Minnesota’s
educational administrators, including
superintendents, directors of special
education, curriculum and technology
leaders, central office administrators,
and higher education administrators and
professors. The organization supports
excellence in professional practice, enhances
the leadership networks of members, and
provides members with a variety of valuable
benefits. n
Champlin
teacher n
Who Mak
Champlin Park High Scho
Sieglinde Grivna was name
Who Make a Difference” in
of the special publication. A
nominees was dwindled do
one representing each stat
“There are thousands of
Grivna said. “I am so humb
and I hope that I can repre
According to School Ban
magazine, directors were n
(both former and current), c
instrument retailers, parent
that know them and their p
nomination includes a deta
a special issue.
When asked what it mea
Grivna was quick to say she
“We are here for the stud
$1.3M in
for schoo
Last spring, the Minnesot
approved a Safe Schools S
appropriation. The aid pac
to be shared by all school d
help pay for safety expend
liaison services, counseling
for students and staff.
Anoka-Hennepin’s portio
district is using the state ai
based mental health servic
now provides mental health
schools and sites, which inc
crisis management, screeni
therapy, and other support
Michelle Vargas, the distr
said Anoka-Hennepin is usi
annually, and spreading the
to help supplement the pro
while simultaneously lobby
funding.
Seven distr
for Minnes
Candidates for the 2020
Year award have been nam
has seven educators who w
The teachers are:
• Heather Birklid, seventh
Middle School for the A
• Amber Delliger, math,
(ABE).
• Teresa Dwyer, fifth-gra
School.
• Stephanie Gwin, eighth
Middle School - A Spec
Science.
• Patricia Halsey, work ex
Anoka-Hennepin Techn
• Amy Quinn, media spe
School for the Arts.
• Andrea Whitcomb, mu
School for the Arts.