Emma Ganion, Ed.S.
Leadership rooted in belonging, collaboration, and equity
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Welcome
Welcome
Thank you for visiting my site! You may be here because my application sparked the question, “Could Emma Ganion be the next leader of our school?” This site offers a clear picture of my leadership experience, values, and readiness for the role to help you can confidently answer that question.
I am an aspiring school administrator with experience in special education leadership, instructional coaching, and systems-level problem solving. In my current role as a Special Education Lead Facilitator for two elementary schools, I collaborate closely with teachers, administrators, students, and families to strengthen instruction, support inclusive practices, and ensure students’ needs are met through thoughtful, well-designed systems.
The artifacts and reflections included here illustrate how I lead in practice. They reflect a strong belief in relationships, data-informed decision making, and continuous improvement. This portfolio highlights my hands-on experience with instructional leadership, MTSS, evaluation and due process, staff coaching and support, and family engagement, as well as the day-to-day work of leading complex programs with clarity and care.
I believe strong schools are built on trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility for student success. I bring a deep understanding of both general and special education, an entrepreneurial mindset rooted in problem solving and innovation, and a leadership style that balances high expectations with empathy and approachability. My goal is to help create inclusive, joyful school communities where students and staff feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.
What began as a graduate school e-folio has evolved into a professional leadership portfolio that reflects how I lead, what I value, and the kind of elementary administrator I strive to be. I invite you to explore the work, reflections, and experiences that shape my leadership and inform the schools I hope to serve. I would welcome the opportunity to connect and give you a full picture of how my leadership can support your school community.
About Me
About Me
I am a Special Education Teacher in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District (ISD 191) and recently earned my Education Specialist degree along with my K–12 Principal and Director of Special Education licenses. My path toward educational leadership began at the University of Minnesota, where I studied Entrepreneurial Management and Marketing. After spending five years working with youth in a nonprofit setting, merging my passion for supporting young people with my love of building programs, I realized that the parts of my job I loved most were teaching, adapting learning experiences, and building strong relationships with students and families. That realization brought me back to the University of Minnesota for my Master’s degree in 2020 and into my first teaching role at Burnsville High School in 2021.
Over the past five years in ISD 191, I have taught in both Resource and Setting III (EBD) programs and now serve in a special assignment as a Special Education Lead Facilitator for two elementary schools. In this new district role, I support teachers with evaluations, due process, scheduling, problem solving, and building systems that help all students succeed. I also lead weekly professional development and team meetings and frequently step into classrooms to support instruction, model evidence-based practices for behavior management, or stabilize programming if staffing needs arise. Helping build this role from the ground up has strengthened my commitment to creating sustainable, student-centered systems across school communities.
I am passionate about student voice and creating spaces where young people feel belonging, agency, and connection. At Burnsville High School, I helped students start the Boxing Club and the Neurodivergent & Disabled Coalition, mentored the Gender & Sexuality Alliance, and coached ninth-grade softball. One of my favorite initiatives was partnering students in our Education Pathways program with students in a center-based DCD class to support them in elective courses, which fostered meaningful peer relationships and authentic inclusion while giving future educators hands-on learning.
A throughline in my career is the way my entrepreneurial background shapes my work in special education. Both fields rely on creativity, relationship-building, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt quickly. I approach teaching and leadership with an entrepreneurial mindset—designing solutions, using data thoughtfully, and continuously improving systems to better serve students and staff.
Outside of school, I love reading, trying new restaurants, doing crafts with my six-year-old daughter, taking walks with my dogs, and talking about all things education with my partner, who is also a special educator. We live in Bloomington, Minnesota and love exploring everything the area has to offer.
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