Minnesota’s Voice on the National Stage

Thank you—truly—to the Minnesota leaders who have supported me during my year as President of the American Association of School Administrators. Your encouragement, candid conversations, and willingness to share Minnesota’s strengths have sustained me. Visiting districts across the country throughout the year only deepened my conviction that Minnesota is a remarkable place for public education: committed communities, thoughtful leaders, and educators focused on student growth.

School leadership is hard work—perhaps as challenging now as ever—though I say that humbly, recognizing I was not in this role during every previous national crisis. This year, I used the platform AASA provides to advocate for what matters most in our schools: a renewed attention to the basics in literacy and math, and the thoughtful evolution of programs so they meet students’ future needs. We pressed for policies and practices that attract and retain talented educators and foster community partnerships that strengthen student supports. Equally important, we’ve pushed for assessments and accountability that measure what truly matters—executive functioning, communication, collaboration—and not simply what is easiest to quantify.

Being AASA’s voice required stepping into difficult conversations. I addressed concerns about screen time and the responsible classroom use of artificial intelligence, navigated the realities of divisive local politics, and spoke to the human implications of the immigration surge affecting Minnesota communities. 

At the federal level, the landscape remains turbulent: changing policies, uneven implementation, and organizational shifts as components of the U.S. Department of Education are reconsidered or redistributed. AASA has worked to monitor these shifts closely, advocate for clarity and consistency, and press for action where it is urgently needed. Our advocacy has had tangible results—helping to release frozen funding, slowing or reshaping potentially harmful legislation, and raising alarms when needed changes haven’t materialized.

None of this work is solitary. Minnesota’s contingent of superintendents has been a powerful presence nationally, bringing practical insight and steady leadership to AASA discussions. I’m especially grateful for Deb Henton, who will assume a new and important role as liaison between AASA and the Association of State Executives—she will be a strategic bridge for state-to-national collaboration. Matt Hillman will also be a strong Minnesota voice for our association on the national stage. Though the waters may be rough, Minnesota has strong captains at the helm.

As we move forward, let us continue supporting one another—sharing strategies that work, lifting up evidence of impact, and fighting for the systems our students deserve. Thank you for the work you do every day to serve children and communities. It has been an honor to represent you, and I look forward to continuing this essential work together.