The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) is proud to announce Terryl Pearson, principal of Melrose Area Elementary School in the Melrose Area School District, has been awarded the Central Division Leadership Award for 2024. This award honors principals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment to student success, and a dedication to serving their school communities.
Pearson's tenure at Melrose Area Elementary is marked by a strong focus on student-centered initiatives, staff development, and resilience in the face of challenges. Her instructional leadership built capacity in her staff to achieve high standards and reach their full potential as educators. Her strong leadership also was a guiding light through the pandemic where she ensured all students remained on-campus for in person learning- a critical factor in maintaining continuity and stability for students and families. Pearson also spearheaded the successful implementation of Response to Intervention (RtI) that evolved into a strong Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) process, a comprehensive approach designed to identify and support students' learning needs early and effectively.
A servant leader at heart, Pearson’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in her desire to serve others and uplift her school community. Her approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and a focus on the well-being of both students and staff. This servant leadership model has earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues.
In addition to the Central Division Leadership Award, Pearson’s contributions to education have been recognized on numerous occasions. She is a recipient of the Presidential Points of Light Award, the Impact on Education Award (formerly Impact II), and the Leadership in Educational Excellence Award— each a testament to her enduring impact on the field of education and her commitment to excellence.
MESPA is proud to celebrate Terryl Pearson’s outstanding leadership and her lasting contributions to Melrose Area Elementary. Her innovative mindset, resilience, and dedication to student success serves as an inspiration to educators throughout Minnesota.
About Division Leadership Award
MESPA members selected 13 of their peers to receive the 2025 MESPA Division Leadership
Achievement Award. Michelle Krell, MESPA Executive Director, congratulated the award winners, “The MESPA Division Leadership Award goes to principals who demonstrate exemplary leadership within their schools, communities, and our association. They embody transformational leadership, propelled by genuine care and dedication to their students, staff, and communities. Their knowledge, enthusiasm, passion, and commitment significantly enrich our association."
About MESPA
The Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association is the premier leadership resource for elementary and middle level principals, dedicated to connecting, developing, and providing resources for principals, and serving as a leading voice for Minnesota education. MESPA is committed to ensuring an inclusive, high-quality academic, and social-emotional education for each child by strengthening, supporting, engaging, and celebrating principals as educational leaders in our schools.
Congratulations, Ms. Pearson!
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