by Mike Knaak
A Sartell-St. Stephen school district administrator has been honored by a statewide education group.
Kay Nelson, assistant superintendent, received the 2022 Outstanding Central Office Leader Award from the Minnesota Association of School Administrators during the group’s spring conference March 10-11.
“Kay is a leader in Sartell-St. Stephen schools, across central Minnesota and beyond,” Kyle Breitkreutz, the district’s director of Technology, said in a statement. “Her involvement within the district and with MASA are clear examples of her dedication to help others in education through mentoring and leading by example. Kay’s professional leadership, inspiring commitment to education, and courageous personality make her a perfect recipient for this award.”
A week after receiving the award, Nelson was named the assistant superintendent for secondary education in the St. Cloud school district. Nelson begins her St. Cloud job on July 1. Nelson was one of three finalists when the Sartell-St. Stephen school board selected a new superintendent in 2021.
Nelson began her 30-year career in the district as a vocal and classroom teacher and then director of Learning Services. She has been assistant superintendent since 2013.
According to a statement from the district, Nelson has been a leader in curriculum and staff development with a particular focus on art and technology at all grade levels. She played a key role within the district’s grade-level reconfiguration and the related building and remodeling projects.
Nelson earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from St. Cloud State University and a bachelor’s degree in music education from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. She received a master’s degree in educational administration from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona.
MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders, including superintendents and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors.
