By Josh Shoberg and Tony Cruikshank
How are you?
Doing very well, thank you.
Do you have a family?
Yes, I do. I have a wife and three children. I have a daughter who’s 23, a son who’s 18. Both of them are in college, and I have 13-year old son.
Do you think your 13-year old son might end up in Mini-School?
I don’t think so, although I would say he’s a non-traditional learner.
What are your credentials? Where did you go to college?
I did all my graduate work at Mankato State. I have a Master’s Degree in Music, 6th year degree, and a specialist degree in Educational Administration. I was a band director for 16 years. I played in rock groups to get through college.
If you were a Jell-o Jiggler, what shape would you be?
I’d probably be an arrow, so that I could set some direction and look into the future and try to impact change.
Do you like Minnetonka so far?
Yes. Best of all, and I don’t say this to kiss up to anybody, is I like the students. Every day I come into the building I continue to be reaffirmed about how good the students are.
Do you come up with policy or does the school board do everything?
It’s kind of a combination. A lot of the policies have been established over the years. Some are new changes, for example, the passing tones. When I came on board, I heard from both students and staff that we should do something to help everyone be in class on time. And I also heard because our clocks are so messed up around the school, nobody knew exactly when classes started.
What have you heard about Mini-School?
Well, I’ve heard quite a bit. I talked to Doug when I came on board in July. He game me a good description of what happens. It’s not much different than the alternative schools I’ve worked with. I think it’s a good opportunity for folks to have an alternative way to learn, and I think that’s something education has to recognize, that people learn in different ways. I like Mini-School. I like the idea of the trips. I like the idea of all the groups you have.
Why is it that most of the new staff doesn’t know anything about Mini-School?
It would probably a good thing to put into our orientation in the fall, so that people know about it.
When did you decide to be a principal?
From really early in high school I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Then I was looking for a change and a friend of mine encouraged me to take a look at administration. I was an assistant principal for six years, and this is my fifth year of being a principal.
Is Elvis really dead?
Gee, I don’t know. They just said they saw him in Detroit about a month ago
Do you believe in aliens?
No, I don’t think so.
Any deformities? Third nipple? Extra toes?
None of those things.
What kind of stuff do you do for fun?
I ride a motorcycle, fish, hike and camp, play jazz piano, and I like my job.
Do you think you might go on a Mini-School trip?
Doug has asked me to go next May on the Boundary Waters.
Do you have any pets?
I had a chocolate lab, but I had to give him away before we moved. I didn’t think it would be a good place to be and with all the time I have to spend at work, I’d never get to spend time with him.