South Elementary Principal Doreen Oelke received the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association’s (MESPA) Division Leadership Award on Thursday, Feb. 8 at MESPA’s annual awards banquet at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bloomington.
(SHOWN ABOVE) South Elementary Principal Doreen Oelke accepts the 2024 MESPA Division Leadership Award during the awards banquet in Bloomington on February 8.
“Wonderful things are happening within our schools here in St. Peter,” Oelke said. “MESPA provides the platform for principals to showcase what is going on at their sites and gather ideas from others throughout the state. I have appreciated the ongoing leadership development & support that MESPA has provided for me. I am honored to be recognized with this award from MESPA & my fellow principals.”
The Division Leadership Award is an annual recognition made by each of the 12 MESPA Divisions and the Retired Principals of MESPA (RPM).
South Elementary Principal Doreen Oelke (back row, third from the right) is shown here with the other Division Leadership Award winners at the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association’s awards banquet.
Liam Dawson, principal of Northside Elementary in St. James and president-elect of the
Southwest Division, emphasized, “Doreen is an advocate for kids and that is at the heart of what she does. Her insight into the role as principal has positively impacted those she meets and is someone many can turn to within our division when challenges or questions arise in our day-to-day roles.”
MESPA members selected 13 of their peers to receive the 2023 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award. Michelle Krell, MESPA Executive Director, congratulated the award winners, “The MESPA Division Leadership Award goes to principals who demonstrate
exemplary leadership within their schools, communities, and our association. They embody transformational leadership, propelled by genuine care and dedication to their students, staff, and communities. Their knowledge, enthusiasm, passion, and commitment significantly enrich our association.”
2024 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award Recipients
● MESPA Central Division - Jennifer Olson, Humphrey and Winsted Elementary Schools,
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools
● MESPA Northern Division – Kelsey Johnson, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Elementary,
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo School District
● MESPA Western Division – Chris Ellingson, Hawley Elementary, Hawley Public Schools
● MESPA East Suburban Division – Maura Weyandt, Edgerton Elementary, Roseville Area
Schools
● MESPA West Suburban Division – Eduardo Navidad, Alice Smith Elementary, Hopkins
Public Schools
● MESPA North Suburban Division – Jack Shields, DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science,
charter school in Ham Lake.
● MESPA South Suburban Division – Christine Evans, Southview Elementary,
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District
● MESPA Northeast Division – Clayton Linder, East Rapids and West Rapids Elementary
Schools, Grand Rapids School District
● MESPA Southeast Division – Nick Jurrens, Jefferson Elementary, Faribault Public Schools
● MESPA Southwest Division – Doreen Oelke, South Elementary, Saint Peter Public Schools
● MESPA Saint Paul Division – Sarah Lightner, Groveland Park, Saint Paul Public School
● MESPA Minneapolis Division – Vicki Turner, Kenny Elementary School, Minneapolis Public School District
● Retired Principals of MESPA – Jim Hoogheem