Welcome, Melinda Crowley!
Melinda (Mindy) Crowley is excited to join the Lancer family as La Crescent-Hokah Public School's new Superintendent. In her role, she will work collaboratively with the school community, providing leadership and removing barriers to success. Mindy has worked in education for the past 34 years as a Teacher, Program Coordinator, Curriculum Director, High/Middle School Principal, Elementary Principal, National Trainer/Consultant, Executive Director, and Superintendent. During this time, she also co-owned and worked publishing a magazine and various sales positions. Mindy is a third-generation educator. Her mother and father taught Vocal Music, Physical Education, SPED, and her grandparents taught Elementary Education and Industrial Tech. Mindy says she has been fortunate in her career to have been able to teach and lead in districts with diverse populations located in urban, rural, and reservation communities across the state.
Mindy shared her past accomplishment working with the Early Childhood team to design "Begindergarten" as a solution to the problems with pervasive developmental delays, adjustment, and social regulation issues we were seeing in our incoming Kindergarteners. Begindergarten worked incredibly well, decreasing the behavioral issues and increasing attendance and time on task. The Begindergarten program was awarded a statewide award for innovative programming. Mindy also assisted in the creation of a tiered behavior program with a classroom, calm room, and leveled social-emotional learning pull-out rooms to assist students in self-regulation and social adjustment. In addition, she helped develop a comprehensive Ojibwe Language and Culture program with multiple components: 13 traditional story books written in both Ojibwe and English, detailed Ojibwemowin scope and sequence with related grade-level standards, push in programing to instruct both students and staff, Growing up Ojibwe curriculum created, First Six Weeks and the seven grandfathers programming created, multiple lessons and integrated project-based learning units infusing Ojibwemowin into core subject areas.
Mindy has two adult children and has assisted in parenting several other young people who have taught her many things. Her son is getting married in September, growing her family as they add another daughter. She enjoys outdoor activities, such as kayaking, golf, scuba diving, and yardwork. She also loves to cook and bake. Mindy is looking forward to becoming part of the community.
When asked what motivates her to do what she does and how she can contribute to the district and community, Mindy said, "as the Superintendent, you have the ability to lead a strong team, develop leadership in others, remove barriers to progress, and give permission to staff, students, and the community to have the courageous conversations necessary to grow and improve the district. I enjoy and find satisfaction in working with a team to find solutions to improve a school, program, or group's learning environment, culture, and climate. I also believe in being approachable and involved in the school and community." Mindy also shared her favorite inspirational quote, "every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be." - Rita Pierson.