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Leadership
Page 26 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Minnesota Principals of the Year 2025

Awarded by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals

2025 High School Principal of 2025 Middle Level Principal 2024-2025 High School Assis- 2024-2025 Middle Level
the Year of the Year tant Principal of the Year Assistant Principal of the Year

Christian Ledesma John Awsumb Lamii Zarlee Julie Johnson
Roosevelt High School Proctor Middle School Fridley High School Wayzata Central Middle School
Christian Ledesma, Principal of Roos- John Awsumb, Principal of Proctor Lamii Zarlee, Assistant Principal at Julie Johnson, Assistant Principal at
evelt High School in Minneapolis, has been Middle School, has been named the 2025 Fridley High School, has been named the Wayzata Central Middle School, has been
named the 2025 Minnesota High School Prin- Minnesota Middle Level Principal of the Year 2024-2025 Minnesota High School Assis- named the 2024-2025 Minnesota Middle
cipal of the Year by the Minnesota Association for his exceptional leadership in creating a tant Principal of the Year for his exceptional Level Assistant Principal of the Year for her
of Secondary School Principals. This recog- supportive, safe, and positive school environ- leadership, focus on student success, and dedi- exceptional leadership in creating a support-
nition highlights his exceptional leadership ment. Known for his charisma and optimism, cation to fostering a positive school culture. ive and inclusive environment. Students and
in creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive Awsumb is praised by students, staff, and Known for his approachability and strong staff alike praise her for fostering a positive
school environment that prioritizes both aca- parents alike for his genuine care, collaborative relationships with students, Zarlee builds con- school culture where students feel safe, sup-
demic success and emotional well-being. approach, and transparent decision-making. nections by being present and engaged with ported, and valued. Johnson is recognized for
Ledesma has fostered a culture of care at Roo- His ability to inspire and uplift the school them, offering support and checking in on their her focus on both academic excellence and
sevelt, where students, staff, and the broader community has made him a highly respected progress. Teachers and staff praise his promo- social-emotional learning (SEL), integrating
community feel valued. His commitment leader, with teachers and parents appreciating tion of restorative practices and his active role SEL into daily practices to address students’
to educational equity, especially in increas- his open communication and proactive efforts in community engagement, using methods needs, especially in the wake of the COVID-
ing representation in advanced courses, has to enhance the middle school experience. like community circles to repair relationships 19 pandemic. Her commitment to personalized
further transformed the school into one of the and create open communication. As a leader, support and student well-being extends beyond
most sought-after in the district. Known for his Zarlee effectively balances the demands of his the classroom, with parents appreciating her
genuine community engagement, Ledesma’s role, ensuring systems of support are in place holistic approach to helping students succeed
leadership has made Roosevelt the fastest- ms.proctor.k12.mn.us to meet students’ academic and social-emo- both academically and emotionally.
growing high school in Minneapolis Public tional needs while fostering a collaborative
Schools. culture among staff.
wayzataschools.org/
cms
roosevelt.mpschools.
org fhs.fridleyschools.org
Courtesy of the Minnesota Association of Sec-
ondary School Principals

EACHING
MINNESOTA’S K–12 EDUCATION CONNECTIONTODAY Spring 2025
T TEACHING TODAY
MN
MN ™
Did you miss an issue of Senior to Pursue Electrical Engineering nesota Teacher of the Access back-issues at
Experience as Theater’s
Lighting Director Led BHS
Teacher of the Year Candidate Field
Narrowed to 31 Semifinalists
This year’s program
will name the 61st Min-
T TEACHINGEACHING MN ™ Center for Performing Arts, Lucas does a little went to the tech side and really enjoyed it, so I erCentre. video submissions. The panel will select of the Year are listed alphabetically by last teachingtodaymn.com
Year. The program cel-
ebrates the tradition of
excellence in teaching
in Minnesota. Eligible
candidates include pre-
kindergarten
through
12th-grade, Early
Childhood Family Edu-
cation and Adult Basic Education teachers,
from public or private schools.
TODAYODAY
T
The field of possible candidates for this
2025-26 school year.
• Intend to teach in Minnesota during the
year’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year honor
has been narrowed to 31. An independent
Semifinalists for 2025 Minnesota Teacher
selection panel of 21 community leaders
name below, including the district and school:
chose the semifinalists from an initial field
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191
of 142 candidates from across the state.
The panel will review the semifinal-
• Stacy Bartlett, Stillwater Area Public
MN
Lucas Croatt prefers to stay out of the
spotlight. In fact, the senior found his niche
Schools, Stillwater Area High School
in acting, so he found a different way to be
involved that better suited him.
at Burnsville High School by putting the spot-
ists’ portfolios again, along with semifinalist
light on other students - literally.
• Garrett Bruce, Robbinsdale Area
“I wasn’t going to be on that stage, so I
Public Schools, Robbinsdale Cooper
High School
about 10 finalists from among the group.
As lighting director at the school’s Mraz
The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year,
stuck with it,” he said.
bit of everything behind the scenes to make
• Katelyn Bruce, Minneapolis Public
Lucas appreciates the freedom he’s
Tracy Byrd, will announce his successor at
allowed in his role as lighting director. He
the Minnesota Teacher of the Year banquet,
Schools, Lake Harriet Lower Campus
scheduled for May 4 at the Saint Paul Riv-
sure productions go off without a hitch. In
gets to be creative in how he lights each show,
• Jodi Carufel, Bloomington Public
addition to planning and setting up the light-
ing, he helps run the audio systems and builds
Schools, Olson Middle School
which makes it that much more satisfying for
sets. He’s worked on 15 plays and musical
him to see the final production come together.
Eligible nominees must meet these criteria:
• Ryan Collins, Mahtomedi Public
• Teach in a public or nonpublic pre-
“We do a shot and it’s kind of up to me
productions, the most recent being “Clue” in
kindergarten–12th grade school, or
Schools, Mahtomedi Middle School
what I want to do for it, how I want to go about
last four years.
February, and dozens of other events over the
in an Adult Basic Education or ECFE
• Ben Cuevas-Rengstorf, Minneapolis
doing it,” he said. “When the show comes on,
to see it.”
the work you put in pays off because you get
Public Schools, Roosevelt High School
program, working at least 50 percent of
Lucas started in theater as a freshman
the time directly with students.
• Have a Minnesota teaching license.
• Christoph Dundas, Austin Public
because his older sister acted in plays through-
Schools, Austin High School
out her time at BHS. He wasn’t interested
In the classroom, Lucas has been explor-
ing his interest in engineering by taking
• Hold a bachelor’s degree and a Minne-
sota teaching license.
Central Middle School
• Laura Eid, Eden Prairie Schools,
Continued on Page 22
• Have completed at least five full years of
teaching by the nomination deadline.
• Ted Erickson, Anoka-Hennepin School
District, Blaine High School
Continued on Page 26
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