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Leadership
Teaching Today Minnesota | Spring 2026 Page 25

Anoka-Hennepin Assistant Principal Nicki Magaard Wins National Award

“Nicki’s leadership embodies the pow- Championing Whole-Child Support Innovator Beyond Her School’s Walls
erful impact an assistant principal can have
on a school community,” said Michelle Krell, and Positive School Culture Magaard’s leadership extends across the
MESPA Executive Director. “Her work not Magaard’s leadership in schoolwide district. She identified the need for robust
only strengthens instructional practices and behavior systems has also been transforma- collaboration among assistant principals and
student outcomes, but also builds a culture tive. She developed a tiered behavior matrix, created a districtwide Professional Learning
where staff feel empowered, students feel clarifying expectations and strengthening Community (PLC) for elementary assistant
seen, and families feel deeply connected to consistent support for students. She revamped principals in Anoka-Hennepin. This monthly
their school. MESPA is honored to recog- Wilson’s behavior committee into a Behavior PLC—built on survey data, shared leadership,
nize her extraordinary contributions to the Implementation Team, focused on implement- and structured professional development—
profession.” ing evidence-based strategies with fidelity and now serves as a key district investment in
reducing student referrals. growing and supporting future principals.
A Leader Who Elevates Collective Recognizing the need for a more effective
Efficacy and Student Achievement skill-building space, she helped design and A Well-Deserved Honor
One of Magaard’s most significant launch the GROW Zone (Greatness Requires Magaard was recognized by MESPA
accomplishments has been leading Wilson Ongoing Work)—a behavior triage and inter- at the Mespys Awards Banquet on Febru-
ary 5th. She will also represent Minnesota
The Minnesota Elementary School Princi- Elementary’s Collective Efficacy Cycles, a vention center ensuring students receive in the NAESP National Outstanding Assis-
pals’ Association (MESPA) is proud to announce research-based, collaborative model inspired targeted support while maximizing time in the tant Principal celebration in July in Orlando,
that Nicki Magaard, Assistant Principal at by John Hattie’s work, designed to accelerate classroom. Florida. Her accomplishments exemplify the
Wilson Elementary School in Anoka-Hennepin student learning and strengthen professional Her work also includes expanding SEL excellence, innovation, and heart that define
Schools, has been named Minnesota’s recipient practice. These cycles have resulted in mea- programming, such as: outstanding educational leadership.
of the National Outstanding Assistant Principal surable and impressive gains, particularly in • A thriving Check In/Check Out men-
Award, presented by the National Association of reading fluency and writing proficiency. toring program with 21 staff volunteers Courtesy of the Minnesota Elementary School
Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Magaard’s intentional focus on staff voice, supporting 23 students Principals’ Association
Magaard, now in her fourth year as assis- systems refinement, and celebration created • Building-wide regulation stations with
tant principal at Wilson Elementary, is widely a building-wide culture of high expectations calming and movement activities
celebrated for her transformational leadership, and continuous improvement. She also led the • A Whirlwind of Wow positive refer- wilson.ahschools.us
strategic systems thinking, and deeply human- development of Wilson’s “Level Up” recog- ral system reinforcing expectations and
centered approach to supporting students, staff, nition theme to ensure staff accomplishments strengthening home-school partnerships
and families. were acknowledged and amplified, fostering through personal phone calls home
positivity and connection schoolwide.

Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed Receives Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award

years, leading a large, diverse district through Board of Directors, and currently as a Coach for Assistant Principal at Kennedy High School
periods of positive change, growth and even the MASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy. in Bloomington Public Schools. She began
disruption. Her leadership is grounded in coher- Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed’s commitment to her administrative career in Saint Paul Public
ence, belonging, and consistency, ensuring that service extends into the broader community Schools, serving as a teacher and administrative
strategy, instruction, operations, and culture through additional board service (Black Men intern at Highland Park Junior High. Across
are aligned to best meet the needs of students Teach, Education Evolving, St. David’s, and these various roles, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed’s work
and staff. Under her leadership, Hopkins Public VocalEssence) and partnerships that strengthen has focused on listening to students, building
Schools launched its Vision 2031 strategic plan, relationships between schools, families, and equity-driven structures and systems, and devel-
advanced a rigorous and inclusive instructional civic organizations. She believes strong school oping effective teachers and school leaders as
framework, expanded immersion and innova- districts are built on a shared commitment for all key levers toward academic excellence.
tive programming, and successfully passed students to reach success, transparent commu- The Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award was
two major bond referendums that strengthened nication, and creating future-forward, resilient established in 1983 in honor of Kay E. Jacobs,
school safety and facilities. schools and school leaders. an outstanding young administrator of many
A defining aspect of Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed’s Prior to the superintendency, Dr. Mhiripiri- achievements who died in a car accident in
leadership is her deep commitment to men- Reed held senior leadership roles in several large 1979. At the time of her death, Ms. Jacobs was
torship and leadership development. She has school districts across the country. She served the assistant superintendent for the Mahto-
intentionally invested in developing princi- as Associate Superintendent for Monterey Pen- medi Schools and had been selected through a
The Minnesota Association of School
Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Rhoda pals, district leaders, aspiring superintendents insula Unified School District in California, national screening process to participate in the
Mhiripiri-Reed, Superintendent of Hopkins and sitting superintendents through coaching, where she supported district turnaround efforts, Superintendents’ Work Conference at Teachers
Public Schools, as the recipient of the 2026 modeling, and shared problem-solving. By fos- strengthened instructional infrastructure, and College, Columbia University. The award rec-
Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award. The award is tering environments where leaders can reflect built leadership capacity in schools serving ognizes women administrators who exemplify
presented annually to a female administrator honestly, learn from challenges, and grow pro- low-income student populations. She also leadership, service, and professional involve-
who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, fessionally, she has helped cultivate a strong served as Director of Leadership Development ment early in their careers, as Kay Jacobs did.
a strong commitment to students, and active pipeline of educational leaders within and for District of Columbia Public Schools, where Courtesy of The Minnesota Association of
involvement in MASA. Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed was beyond her district. she designed and led principal preparation and School Administrators
honored during the 2026 MASA Spring Confer- Beyond her district, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed has leadership development for principals of 100+
ence, held March 19-20, 2026. been actively engaged in MASA and statewide schools.
Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed has served as Super- leadership efforts. She served on the AMSD Earlier in her career, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed hopkinsschools.org
intendent of Hopkins Public Schools for nine Executive/Legislative Committee, as Region served as Principal of Champlin Park High
9 Superintendent Representative to the MASA School in Anoka- Hennepin Schools and