LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION PAGE 4
Five district magnet schools receive national recognition
Five Anoka-Hennepin magnet schools have earned Magnet Schools of America ( MSA ) national recognition in 2024 for their academic excellence , commitment to diversity and community engagement .
2024 Merit Schools of Excellence
• Anoka Middle School for the Arts .
2024 Merit Schools of Distinction
• Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy for Math and Environmental Science .
• Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts .
• Monroe Elementary School - Mathematics , Science and Children ’ s Engineering .
• University Avenue Elementary School - Aerospace , Children ’ s Engineering and Science .
MSA national merit awards are given to magnet schools that demonstrate a commitment to high academic standards , curriculum innovation , successful desegregation and diversity efforts , and strong parent and community involvement . For consideration , member schools must submit an application scored by a panel of educators . MSA is a nonprofit organization that supports and assists magnet schools nationwide and represents approximately 4,300 magnet and theme-based schools nationwide . n
School Board establishes co-chair model
The Anoka-Hennepin School Board set leadership positions at its Feb . 26 meeting , establishing a co-chairperson model for the year 2024 and determining officers .
• Kacy Deschene ( District 3 ) and Zach Arco ( DIstrict 2 ) were elected to serve as co-chairs .
• Jeff Simon ( District 6 ) elected as Clerk .
• Matt Audette ( District 4 ) will serve as Treasurer .
The school board will not have a vice-chair for 2024 as co-chairs will alternate the process of running meetings while working in collaboration on board leadership matters throughout the year . The votes for all board leadership positions were unanimous .
Shared leadership
Kacy Deschene
The School Board developed this form of organization in collaboration as a solution following two public meetings which did not result in any member receiving the four votes needed to be elected chair . Legal review determined that Minnesota law does not “ expressly allow or prohibit ” Zach Arco the selection of co-chairs . The board expressed a commitment to shared decision making and involvement by all members in board decisions .
The School Board is responsible for selecting their own leaders each year , usually at a board organizational meeting held in January . The board will review this structure to determine if it meets their expectations for effective leadership or if modifications are needed going forward .
Visit ahschools . us / schoolboard for additional information including meeting information , agendas and videos regarding the Anoka-Hennepin School Board . n
Hailey Skinner - a 2015 grad of AHS and now a teacher in the district - leads instruction in her first-grade classroom at Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts as a student participating in the ‘ Educator ’ s Rising ’ program observes .
Students ‘ rise ’ to the occasion , shadow teachers for career exploration
Anoka High School ( AHS ) students interested in education careers were able to envision themselves pursuing their future aspirations as part of their school day this school year visiting a neighboring elementary school to shadow teachers — an opportunity provided through the Educator ’ s Rising program .
Educators Rising is a program that introduces students to the teaching profession and allows them to gain a realistic understanding of the nature of the profession and the roles of educators in various areas of expertise . Students can explore teaching , administration , psychology , nursing , social work , counseling , community education , mentoring and more . Program advisor at AHS , Katie Hale , explained , “ It ’ s such a great resource for students to be able to discover if education is for them , while brightening someone else ’ s day .”
Mahogany Mechelke , an AHS sophomore who hopes to one day be an elementary school teacher , shadowed Hailey Skinner - a 2015 grad of AHS - now a first-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts . Skinner first
Two district educators named semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Two Anoka-Hennepin educators advanced to the semifinalist round of the 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award .
Deena Bayer , social studies teacher at Blaine High School , and Tom Powers , first grade teacher at Rum River Elementary School , were among 27 semifinalists for the award statewide .
Deena Bayer
“ I was truly humbled and grateful to be selected as a semifinalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award ,” Bayer said . “ It means the world to me to be considered , as I know there are countless educators out there doing the hard work . Giving the students an opportunity to explore their strengths , identities , and gifts that they can bring to the world brings me the greatest joy . Becoming a teacher was one of the best decisions I ’ ve ever made , and has given me a sense of purpose and value that no other
explored her interest in teaching by participating in a child development class at AHS as a student herself . “ I liked watching how she worked with [ the students ],” Mechelke said . “ She had a very calm classroom .”
The Family and Consumer
Sciences programs at Anoka- Hennepin ’ s five traditional high schools allow students to observe preschool classes offered in the high schools - which ultimately led Skinner to a teaching career in the district . The Educator ’ s Rising program is offered at all five traditional high schools in the Anoka- Hennepin School District through a partnership with Northwest Suburban Integration School District ( NWSISD ). In addition to shadowing opportunities , students participate in career exploration events , college visits and an annual leadership conference .
“ I am really proud to help lead such an incredible group of students with Educators Rising ,” said Hale . “ Their passion and drive to support the younger students in our district … and invest time into their own futures is inspiring .” n
profession can .”
“ I was very excited to be named as a semifinalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year ,” Powers said . “ I truly believe I ’ m one of many thousands of teachers in our state and our district worthy of this honor . Each of us is
Tom Powers the teacher of the year for many current and former students . I just hope that with this recognition I ’ m able to be an ambassador for all teachers and others who work with students . It has been the influence of many other colleagues who made me who I am .”
This year ’ s program will name the 60th Minnesota Teacher of the Year , celebrating the tradition of excellence in teaching in Minnesota . Eligible candidates include pre-kindergarten through grade 12 , Early Childhood Family Education and Adult Basic Education teachers from public or private schools . n