
Superintendent
Mesabi East School District
MASA has named Dr. Jeff Burgess, Superintendent of the Mesabi East School District, the 2022 Richard Green Scholar. Dr. Burgess will present his paper, “Standard Specific Student Achievement Scores and the Impact on Teacher Incorporation of Standards, Knowledge of Standards, and Student Achievement” at the 2022 MASA Fall Conference, October 3-4, in Brainerd, 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.
The purpose of Dr. Burgess’ study was to find if research-based professional learning communities (PLCs) focusing on standard specific student achievement data impacted teacher knowledge of standards, incorporation of standards, and student achievement. The research was guided by two research questions: 1.) What impact, if any, was the use of PLCs on the teachers’ knowledge and incorporation of standards into the classroom setting? and 2.) Did student achievement on standardized tests improve as a result of the level of teacher knowledge and incorporation of standards into the classroom? Dr. Burgess’ research will be posted on the MASA website at https://www.mnasa.org/green-scholar-award.html.
Dr. Burgess graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education. He earned his Master of Science and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Previous to his leadership in Mesabi East, Dr. Burgess served as superintendent for the Clearbrook-Gonvick Schools. Dr. Burgess and his family live in Biwabik township, Minnesota.
Each year, MASA recognizes members for their contributions to public education. MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education, and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors, and other educators throughout Minnesota dedicated to educational leadership for students.
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.