Mark Diehl Receives Outstanding Central Office Leader Award

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Mark Diehl, Director of Information and Technology Services of the Little Falls Community Schools, the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Central Office Leader Award. Diehl received this award for exhibiting a willingness to risk, possessing strong communication skills, being a progressive change agent, and having high expectations for himself and others. He was honored at a statewide recognition ceremony during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference, March 12-13, 2020, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.

Diel began serving as the Director of Information and Technology Services for Little Falls Community Schools in 2008. Before coming to Little Falls, he served as an Elementary Teacher and then Technology Coordinator with the Brooklyn Center Community Schools.

“Mark is so much more than solely a Technology Director. In our organization, Mark is widely regarded as the most visionary person within our district. Mark certainly deals with issues in the present, but he really resides in the future,” said Stephen Jones, Superintendent of Little Falls Community Schools. “Mark provides the answer to the question, ‘What do we as an organization and educational leaders need to prepare ourselves for to grow our relevance for students and families of Morrison County?’ Mark’s hard work and vision has led to many innovative programs at Little Falls that have produced meaningful collaborations with local businesses, state and national entities, and community members.”

Diehl has been involved with MASA since the creation of the Technology Component Group. He served as the first Greater Minnesota Board of Directors Representative from 2014-2019. During this time, he worked to create opportunities for members of the group to engage in meaningful professional development, organized successful lobbying efforts at the Minnesota State Capitol, and provided mentorship to new MASA members in the Technology Component Group. He continues to be a resource for Greater Minnesota MASA members from all component groups who have technology related questions or concerns at both the local, regional, and state levels. Diehl has served on both the MASA Nominating and Legislative committees.

Diehl was the recipient of the 2012 Minnesota Rural Education Association Program of Excellence Award for Project REAL (Resources to Engage All Learners). He was also the 2011 Tech and Learning Magazine, Leader of the Year runner-up.

Diehl earned a master’s degree in Learning Technologies from the University of St. Thomas. He received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bethel College.