Letter from the Principal

July 23, 2007

Dear Murch Elementary School Community Members,

It is with abundant enthusiasm and interest in which I address you today. I am excited to be joining the Murch Elelmentary School Community as the interim principal for the 2007-2008 school year. I would like to briefly share with you about the background and experience I bring as interim principal of Murch Elementary School.

Prior to coming to Murch Elementary School, I was the principal of St. Joseph Catholic School located in Red Wing, MN. Prior to working as principal of St. Joseph Catholic School, I served as an assistant principal at Faithful Shepherd Catholic School located in Eagan, MN. I was also a first grade teacher at Faithful Shepherd for a number of years. I started my teaching career as a first grade teacher at New Spirit Primary School, a charter school in St. Paul, MN.

I am currently enrolled in a PhD program where I am seeking a doctorate in educational leadership. I have a Post-Master's Certificate in Educational Administration, a Master's Degree in Teaching and Learning, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.

Through my experience ; as a principal and teacher, I am able to bring the following skills and attributes to Murch Elelmentary School:

• Extensive knowledge in incorporating Responsive Classroom on a school-wide level.
• Implemented Primary Units of Study on a school-wide level.
• Collaborated with staff members on a large and small group basis to implement a hands-on problem solving approach to mathematics.
• Mentored staff members in the application of the Four Blocks Approach to Literacy.