Welcome to Winona Area Public Schools! I am excited to be entering my third year as your superintendent. I am so grateful for all of our staff, students, families and community who have been instrumental in working together to provide our students and families with a high quality education in a welcoming environment.

During the 2021-22 school year, Winona Area Public Schools will be reviewing and revising our district strategic plan. We will be seeking student, staff, family and community input in setting the priorities for the next three to five years. In addition, the WAPS School Board will be convening a community task force to set our master facility plan and a potential building bond referendum. 

At Winona Area Public Schools, we are committed to meeting the needs of our students. Our three focus areas for the 2021-22 school year are:

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: A framework of targeted supports for students — academically and behaviorally.
• Climate Cohort: An initiative that seeks to improve the climate and culture district-wide and in each school building
• AVID: A program in the middle and high school that focuses on closing the achievement gap through preparing students to be college and career ready. 

I grew up in Wanamingo, Minn., on a farm. I hold two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree from Winona State University. In addition, I completed my doctorate from Hamline University. For more than 25 years, I have been a teacher, administrator and principal in southeastern Minnesota. I am licensed in Minnesota as a District Superintendent, Principal (K-12), Coach (grades 7-12) and Elementary Education (grades 1-6). 

In addition to being a superintendent, I am also a wife and mother of three children. My husband, Dean, is a co-owner of a business in Rochester. We have a daughter and two sons: Kate lives and works in Michigan; Clint and his wife, Brooke, live and work in Idaho; Sam, our other son, lives, attends college, and works in the Twin Cities.