Otter Lake Elementary and Mariner Middle School Named Minnesota Schools of Excellence

Otter Lake Elementary and Mariner Middle School are among just 13 schools statewide to be recognized as 2025-26 Minnesota Schools of Excellence by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association. White Bear Lake Area Schools is the only district in Minnesota to have more than one school earn this prestigious honor this year.

“We are incredibly proud of the hard work the Otter and Mariner staff members have put in to innovate and lead their schools toward student success,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “Terrific things are happening in both buildings, and our students are benefiting from the investments of our staff, families, and the entire community.”

Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association press releases:

Otter Lake Elementary Named a 2025–26 Minnesota School of Excellence

Recognition highlights innovative programs and a commitment to real-world learning

(Roseville, MN, September 2, 2025) — Otter Lake Elementary has been named a 2025-26 Minnesota School of Excellence, an honor awarded by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA). This status is given to a select group of Minnesota schools that sustained a one-to two-year commitment of research and  self-reflection to improve their schools. Their peer-reviewed application is centered around six standards of effective schools. Otter Lake is a place where students are challenged, supported, and inspired every day.

At a time when schools across Minnesota are navigating changing academic expectations and increasing needs from students and families, the Minnesota School of Excellence award offers a reminder of what’s possible when a community stays focused on both rigor and relationships. The recognition highlights Otter Lake Elementary’s ability to combine strong instructional practices with service, perseverance, and student ownership—qualities that prepare students not only to succeed in school, but to thrive in life.

“I am so incredibly excited and proud that Otter Lake Elementary has been honored as a Minnesota School of Excellence!” Principal Angela Nelson continued, “This recognition is a testament to what can be achieved when school staff and community come together to help each and every student succeed. I am honored to serve the Otter Lake Community, and I am so proud of the talented, hardworking, and dedicated staff who I get to work alongside each day!”

Real-World Learning in Action
One of the hallmarks of Otter Lake’s success is its focus on providing rigorous and relevant learning opportunities for all students. “While each day teachers are trying to bring real world experiences into the classrooms, there are two intentional opportunities Otter Lake Elementary offers: School Ambassadors and the Read-a-Thon Event,” the school shared in its application.

The School Ambassadors program, once optional, now includes all 4th and 5th graders because of its overwhelming popularity. Students partner with community mentors to complete service projects such as packing diapers for families in need, creating birthday bags for the food shelf, or visiting local nursing homes to play games with residents.

The school’s annual Read-a-Thon is another example of powerful learning beyond the classroom. This year’s theme, The Power of Perseverance, brought in a wide range of community members—including police officers, firefighters, small business owners, and athletes from the Minnesota Gophers and Minnesota Frost—who shared personal stories of resilience before reading aloud to students. “In the evening, we hosted a community event with free dinner, an art gallery, and activities where students could compete with their families to show their perseverance,” the school noted.

Building Student Agency Through Data
Otter Lake also distinguished itself by its commitment to helping students use data to guide their own learning. Currently, students in intervention and cluster programs track their goals and monitor their progress during WIN (What I Need) time, a practice that will soon expand to all students in the building. “Starting next year, each student will establish a math and literacy goal that they will track in a journal (or similar format) during WIN time,” they shared in their application. Having students document and track their academic goals makes for powerful discussions and encourages student accountability. Teachers will support this effort with strategies such as data walls and Bear Awards to celebrate student achievement.

Defining Excellence
This recognition validates years of work to connect strong instructional practices with meaningful service and student ownership.

“Otter Lake weaves real-world learning into instruction while empowering students to take ownership of their growth,” said Michelle Krell, executive director of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association. “Their work demonstrates that excellence is both about rigorous academics and meaningful community connection.”

Congratulations to Otter Lake Elementary for this extraordinary achievement.

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Mariner Middle School Named a 2025–26 Minnesota School of Excellence

Recognition highlights Mariner’s commitment to staff growth, responsive leadership, and student success.

(Roseville, MN, September 2, 2025) — Mariner Middle School has been named a 2025-26 Minnesota School of Excellence, an honor awarded by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA). This status is given to a select group of Minnesota schools that sustained a one-to two-year commitment of research and self-reflection to improve their schools. Their peer-reviewed application is centered around six standards of effective schools. Through purposeful systems, collaborative leadership, and an unwavering focus on improvement, Mariner Middle School has built an environment where both staff and students are supported to do their best work.

In response to the honor, Principal Christina Pierre recognized the value of a supportive school team. “This honor reflects the incredible community that is at the heart of Mariner Middle School. I am proud of the work we have done to ensure that Mariner is a place where students, families, and educators can thrive.” 

Investing in Educators to Support Students
One of the defining features of Mariner’s application is its investment in meaningful professional development. For the past two years, all Mariner educators—licensed and non-licensed—have offered candid feedback about responsive leadership and workplace support.

“During the past two years, we have been intentional about gathering the perspectives of all school staff,” school leaders noted in their application. “The results have guided how we designed professional development, wellness initiatives, and staff support systems.”

After participating in a strengths-based workshop, teachers reflected on the conditions that allowed them to do their best work. Those conversations led to the creation of the school’s first-ever staff charter, a collective agreement on how educators support one another in their shared mission.

Professional Growth Through Committees
Mariner also connects adult learning directly to student outcomes through its building-wide committees. Each committee focuses on one of the school’s goals—academics, social-emotional development, or the student experience—and meets monthly to plan and reflect on classroom action research.

“As a Student Engagement Committee, for example, our teachers are studying how different strategies impact participation and motivation,” the school explained. “Our committee structure ensures that every staff member has a direct role in shaping the student experience.”

Prioritizing Wellness and Responsive Leadership
The school also measures progress in employee wellness to track key indicators such as job satisfaction, workload balance, and professional support—benchmarked against national results.

When staff surveys revealed concerns about fairness and communication in schoolwide discipline, administrators responded. “We committed to prioritizing conversations, teamwork, and communication with staff around schoolwide discipline,” the application stated. Changes included redesigning referral processes, ensuring follow-up with teachers, and gathering feedback every quarter. Administrators also began individual check-ins with teachers to hear firsthand how specific incidents were handled.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Through professional development, teacher-led committees, and responsive leadership practices, Mariner Middle School is building a culture where educators feel supported and equipped to help students succeed.

“The structured work of our committees have laid a strong foundation for continuous professional growth and collaboration,” school leaders shared. “We are fostering a culture where educators feel empowered, and students are thriving in a dynamic and inclusive environment.”

“Mariner Middle School is what excellence looks like through their commitment to listening deeply, acting with purpose, and investing in well-being,” said MESPA Executive Director Michelle Krell. “Their work demonstrates the powerful outcomes possible when leadership is responsive and asset-based.”

Congratulations to Mariner Middle School for this extraordinary achievement.

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About the MN School of Excellence Program
The Minnesota School of Excellence program is grounded in research, based on six standards of effective schools and is peer reviewed. It’s a one- to two- year-long journey of reflection, learning, and goal-setting. This program emphasizes that excellence is not an end goal—it’s a process. It’s built day by day, decision by decision, through reflection, responsiveness, and a shared belief that growth is always possible.