MASA has named Dr. Jeff Pesta, Superintendent of the Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools, the 2017 Richard Green Scholar. Dr. Pesta will present a paper, “Focusing on the Wrong Gap: Achievement or Assimilation?” which was derived from his published dissertation “Across the Tracks: A Case Study of a Rural Transnational Community” at the MASA Fall Conference, October 2-3, in Duluth, Minnesota.
MASA established the Richard Green Scholars Program in 2006 to honor the scholarly work and professional development of Minnesota school leaders. The program is an annual recognition of the research, writing, and presentation of a paper reflecting the practice of excellent school leadership. Scholar candidates apply for the program and a subcommittee of the MASA Executive Development Committee selects the recipient.
Previous to his 2015 appointment as superintendent in Kenyon-Wanamingo, Dr. Pesta served 18 years as a principal, most recently at Northfield Middle School. Prior to beginning his career as a science teacher, Dr. Pesta served in the U.S. Army and has intermittently conducted field research on North Pacific Fisheries for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 1990.
Dr. Pesta earned his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of St. Thomas and holds a master’s degree in science education from the University of Minnesota. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and business administration at Minnesota State University-Mankato where he also completed graduate work to obtain his school administrator credentials.
MASA is grateful to Cuningham Group Architecture, Inc. for their ongoing support of the Richard Green Scholars Program. Cuningham Group exists to Uplift the Human Experience, a vision embodying their passion for design and its impact on their clients, communities, and the world. •
