Before Eden Prairie High School, what were some of your past experiences?

So before becoming principal here at Eden Prairie High School, I was the principal at Bloomington Jefferson High School for eight years. Prior to that, I was an assistant principal on the east side at North St Paul High School. And then before that, I was a teacher. I taught social studies at Brooklyn Center for about nine years. It was a great experience. What I learned was, for the most part, like the biggest lesson, if you treat people fairly, and with respect, and if you are honest and open, people can live with decisions. they may not agree with but if they feel like it was done ethically and you were open and honest about how you arrived at it, most people can live with an outcome they don’t agree with themselves.

What drew you to Eden Prairie High School?

When I started last year as principal of Bloomington Jefferson High School, I really wasn’t thinking, it’s time for something new. When this position came open, I talked to a few trusted folks, and I started reflecting on, is it time for something new. I move probably every eight to 10 years. I don’t think I’m a “find a job and stay there for 35 years” kind of person. So I became more and more excited about the possibility. Obviously, this is one of the best high schools in Minnesota. It’s got premier programs all across the board, academics, athletics, arts, and really, probably the biggest thing for me, that was a drawing point, was this is a one high school community. And I had always kind of had in the back of my head, like, if there was something that worked in all accounts, there was a one high school community that would be really interesting. When you work in a system that has multiple high schools, you’re always sort of in a weird competition. And I really liked that. That was an opportunity here.

What do you want students to know about you outside of being principal?

Truthfully, this is my life. My life is school. It is, you all, whether it feels that way or not. It is how this building operates and the experience of the students. This is, this is my passion. This is my purpose, being here and doing whatever I can to celebrate what y’all do, but also ensure that the building operates smoothly and safely so kids can learn, teachers can teach, and the community can feel good about having their kids come here. So this is my life.

What are your goals, plans, and ambitions as a new Principal?

My goal and ambition is to get to know as many names and faces as I can. It’s a lot of people. There are about 3000 students. There are well over 300 staff members. So building that personal relationship, as much as I can, is really the goal for year number one. I think building connections, relationships helps everything work smoother and better in the long run. If I could leave this year being able to name, let’s say, 90% of the staff, just by their face I’d be pretty good.

How have you adapted to the high school environment?

I’m still adapting. It’s a really big school with a lot of new things. all these things are new, and I’m in a weird spot where I’m new and learning, but I’m also expected to help guide people around the building and around processes.  I’m helping teach people in a place that I’m still learning all about. So that’s the biggest adaptation. I got lost on the third floor last week. I went to go to a classroom and I thought I was there, then it took me 10 more minutes. But I’m enjoying the mental challenge of it all and the new puzzles to learn.

EPHS has a diverse and involved student body. How do you plan to make students’ voices feel heard?

I would agree. And that’s one of the drawing drive actors. This is a mirror of the real world. Finding our way and our voice through an environment like Eden Prairie High School is going to really well equip our students to navigate the realities of life outside of high school. for me, it’s showing up authentically in as many places as I can. It’s going to as many different club meetings that will have me or invite me. This is meeting with a bunch of as many different students as I can, building as many positive connections, and sharing student space with them as much as I can. Whether it’s going to sporting events, theater, or speaking at different club meets, how can I help them find their voice? Because this is their school. This is your school. And even though adults are in charge, Kids have to find themselves and find a place.

What are you most excited about in the future for the high school?

What I’m most excited about is I see so much potential, and it’s a weird thing because EPHS has already achieved so many great things, and we already are known for so many great things, but there’s so much potential, both because of the community,  sports, and the student success. there’s so much potential to become one of the best high schools in the country. It has that kind of potential. There are things in here that don’t exist in many high schools, and it has community support that would champion anything that we strive to be. So this school is not only positioned to be the best high school in Minnesota but to be one of the best high schools in the country.

There have been positive and negative opinions surrounding the new school mandates, as principal how have you delt with the differing viewpoints and reactions among the school?

First things first, I get it. No one likes changes like this. No one likes new rules or things that usually do.  I hold no ill will towards that. One, most of the things that we’ve brought with us are normal school rules in most places. And two, most of what we’ve brought was asked for by parents, teachers, and even by kids. Again, I’m not surprised. I told students, I get it. Change is hard, I promise you live with it for a week. You will forget whatever used to be. But I think when I ask kids, are the kids that are brave and say, “I don’t like this, this, and this”, I go, “Let’s talk about it”. Well, what don’t you like? What if I let’s compromise like everything I’m willing to like every rule change, like, not a rule. There are rule changes that have compromises, right? Like, okay, let’s start here. But if we can find something that doesn’t sacrifice safety and security, like, we could be reasonable. I’m not surprised that there are.  I think I’m hearing less maybe people are going, that’s not going to change, because it’s not going to change, but that the things that we’re asking kids to do are pretty standard in both schools, number one and two are truthfully in the benefit of the students. And you know, in our school community, it’s important for kids to be in class. It’s important for kids to help us collectively with safety and security, and that’s our goal. It’s not to make any kid’s life harder than it needs to be.