Former Maple Grove Senior High Principal to Retire from Osseo Area Schools

After 12 years, Osseo School District leader and former Maple Grove Senior High Principal Wendy Loberg will be retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

During her time in District 279, Loberg has held several leadership roles. Her career in the district started as assistant principal at Maple Grove Senior High in 2001, transitioning to a principal role at the school in 2004. Loberg was the lead principal for six years at the Maple Grove school before taking a new position, Principal on Special Assignment, based out of the Educational Service Center. A role she will continue, along with an interim principal role at Maple Grove Junior High, until her retirement. 

As she prepares for the end of the school year, Loberg answered a few questions via email for Patch about her time in the Osseo School District. 

Maple Grove Patch: What have been some of the highlights of your career?

Wendy Loberg: Without question, my highlights include the amazing students I’ve had the privilege of knowing. Their skills, talents, interests, and personalities have amazed me, and their energy always served to inspire me.  It’s been incredible watching the students grow into the competent adults they now are. Many of them are now contributing great things to our local communities and the world!

Patch: What has been some of your most memorable moments during your time with the district?

Loberg: One of the most memorable and emotional was the singing performance of the MGSH choir at the Minnesota Music Educators conference at Central Church next to the Convention Center downtown. Their choir director had died a few months prior to this prestigious performance.

I appreciate and value the learning experiences facilitated by Steve Barone in terms of designing and facilitating effective meetings and the area of achieving and sustaining greatness. Susan Hintz convened these training sessions, and I will be forever grateful and positively influenced by what I learned. 

Patch: What advice would you have for students and new teachers before your retirement?

Loberg: I consider all administrators to be very important teachers and instructional leaders. My advice for new and existing teachers is to first and foremost, love your students and develop positive relationships with them. Partner with families to help all students learn at high levels. Respect the perspectives of others. Take time to listen and learn. We all want the same thing—we are all on the same side.

Know that punishment does not change behavior; it doesn’t teach new, replacement skills. Some students do not yet have the social and emotional skills needed to make responsible decisions, so we must teach what we expect and ensure all students have the skills to DO what we expect. It’s a huge job because this is in addition to all the academic subject areas that must be taught and learned.

Students – engage in the learning experiences made available to you by the hard work and preparation of your teachers. Know that decisions in this district are made in our efforts to provide the very best educational experience possible. 

Wendy Loberg started her career in education in the Anoka-Hennepin School District at Blaine High School in 1978. She started with the Osseo School District in July 2001 and will retire June 2013.