I am honored and humbled to be nominated as MASA’s President-Elect. I proudly serve students, staff, families, and the community as Superintendent of St. Michael-Albertville Public Schools.

I began my career in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula following in the footsteps of my mother, who is still teaching at 77 years old. After moving to Minnesota, I worked as a secondary science teacher and later as a testing coordinator, director of teaching and learning, principal, and superintendent. In my 27 years as an educator, I have served in rural, suburban, and urban school districts.

The “Why” (My Purpose):

Before I get to the “what” and the “how,” what I would do and how I would do it, it is important for you to know my “why,” as this is my purpose and the foundation for my actions.

First and foremost, I wholeheartedly believe in our students. It is why I spring out of bed each morning and why I am often at school many evenings. I strongly believe all students can learn and they deserve our absolute best. They deserve to learn in an inclusive environment where they feel valued, welcomed, and respected. I am passionate about caring for, engaging, and inspiring our students to maximize their success. I am energized about the abundance of possibilities and opportunities that the future holds as we prepare our students for a world we can only imagine. 

Second, I have a tremendous sense of pride for educators and have a high degree of respect for all who work in our noble profession. I am constantly in awe of colleagues and educators as they work tirelessly to inspire and empower our students. They show up each day and give their very best to our students. They are my heroes and I am proud to walk alongside them.

The “What” and “How” (My Platform):

As president-elect, I promise to work tirelessly for all Minnesota students and for you. My seven-point platform outlines what I will do and how I will do it. If elected, I pledge to:

• Put Students First

Students should be at the forefront of each and every decision. Putting students first means showing students they are valued, trusted, and important. It also means addressing the social, emotional, and mental health needs of our students.

• Grow, Develop, and Support World-Class Educators

This starts with attracting individuals to the educational profession. We need caring, compassionate, and skilled educators and must partner with state leaders to make this a reality by creating straightforward pathways to attract and retain high quality individuals. We must also have robust systems in place to grow and develop our educators so they feel valued and supported.

• Lead with an Equity Lens

We must work together to address the inequities that are in our schools and systems. We must provide space for each other through actively listening to a variety of perspectives and engaging in difficult conversations that may challenge the status quo. Educational equity must be a priority in our schools.

• Listen and Practice Collaborative Leadership

To successfully navigate the many intricacies in our profession, we need each other now more than ever. Collaboration is critical as we face a future with much uncertainty. We must listen to what our students and families are saying, partner with stakeholders, advocate for change, and support each other.

• Effectively Communicate

Effective communication is the key to building and maintaining trust, which leads to positive outcomes. It builds bridges by connecting us to others and allows our voices to be heard. To influence others and positively impact students, effective communication must be utilized.

• Build and Nurture Strong Relationships

Building and nurturing positive relationships with state and national leaders is essential to propel our educational system forward and enact meaningful change. Our jobs are challenging and we need each other. We must support each other by being present, accessible, and empathetic.

• Fiercely Advocate

Our students need courageous and determined leaders who are fierce advocates. We must work together as a unified team to move our organization forward on behalf of superintendents, technology leaders, and central office leaders.

I am very proud of our profession. I love being a superintendent and can’t imagine doing anything else. I am energized and invigorated every time I go into a classroom. I enjoy partnering with educators and families. I am uplifted and rejuvenated working with superintendents and central office leaders. I am grateful for the work I get to do and am excited about the future of education.

I believe my 27 years of experience in working in rural, suburban, and urban school districts has prepared me to be the next MASA president-elect. I am up for the challenge and excited about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead. I am ready.

Thank you for your time and for considering me for the MASA president-elect position. If elected, I would be honored to serve you and I promise to work tirelessly for you and all students in our great state. Our students matter. Educators matter. You matter. And now more than ever … our leadership matters.

Ann-Marie Foucault