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Martha Spriggs is a
lifelong South Minneapolis student, teacher and administrator
by Tesha M. Christensen
Lifelong South Minneapolis resident Martha Spriggs is
Keewaydin’s new principal.
Spriggs takes over the reins from Jane Ellis, who is now the
principal at Earle Brown IB Elementary School in Brooklyn Center.
“Lake Nokomis Community School is fortunate to have her, and
I think the support of the community will help her be successful,” stated Area
B Community Liaison Kristin Berg Thompson.
“Having taught 4th grade through middle school, I have a lot
of experience and enthusiasm for teaching intermediate and middle level
students,” stated Spriggs. “Adolescents have so much energy and excitement
about learning and it’s wonderful to be around their spirit and to support
these students in their growth and development.”
MINNEAPOLIS STUDENT, TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR
Spriggs is deeply connected to Minneapolis. “I’m a proud graduate of Washburn High
School -- go Millers!” she stated.
She currently lives in South Minneapolis with her two grown
children, John and Mary. “My parents and all but one of my five siblings live
in the same zip code,” she noted. “My oldest brother, Ross, lives in the Keewaydin
neighborhood.”
Her free time is spent biking and walking around the lakes in
Minneapolis. “Recently I’ve been on a kick to discover more about this
beautiful city and my first stop was Lock and Dam #1,” Spriggs said. She sings
in her church choir, and this summer started to learn the ukulele.
Spriggs earned a bachelor of arts in English at Augsburg
College and, after working at American Express for 10 years, she enrolled at
the University of Minnesota and earned her teaching license and a master’s
degree in education. In 2010, she
completed her administrative license through the U of M. “I was honored to be in the same
co-hort with Beth Ness, my new colleague and principal of Wenonah,” Spriggs
stated.
She began her teaching career in a fourth-grade classroom at
Kenny in 2000, followed by a year as a 6-8th grade math teacher at Northeast
Middle School. She returned to fourth grade in a classroom at Sheridan for the
2003-2004 school year, and then taught 6-7th grade math at Webster Open.
Spriggs spent the next seven years at Anderson serving both
as teacher and administrator. As a middle school math teacher there, she
participated on the Transition Team, which planned the restructuring of
Andersen, two schools within one building (K-5 and K-8). Spriggs led the
restructuring of the middle school. Among the changes made were aligning a
group of teachers and support staff to each grade level; implementing
standards-based grading and structured professional development for teacher
teams; and creating single gender advisories. “This was a great change and
really helped build relationships with students and teachers. Our achievement
in reading and math improved following the restructure,” said Spriggs.
From 2007-2008, Spriggs was a mentor and coach for the
Teacher Advancement Program (TAP). Not only did she coach and evaluate teachers
using the TAP instructional rubric, but she coordinated mathematics staff
development.
While teaching math at Andersen almost all of her students
made significant growth in their mathematics achievement. “As a middle
school math teacher this was critical because we know that difficulty with
mathematics is often the reason for students to drop out in high school,” said
Spriggs. “As I implemented standards based grading with my students and across
all of the middle school, all student and families had a clear picture of what
was expected of them and how they were progressing toward their learning goals.”
For her efforts, she was awarded the National Milken Educator
Award in 2009.
For the past two years, Spriggs worked as the Assistant
Principal at Anderson United Community School, leading the middle school team
of 25 teachers and support staff.
“I enjoy working with teachers and delivering professional
development to help refine teacher practice,” Spriggs observed.
Anderson and Keewaydin are similar schools in that both are
experience an increase in the English Learner population. “As we grow, we will
look at how we structure teacher teams to best support every student. I’m
looking for ways to build a strong intermediate school that supports middle
school and leads to high achieving successful high school students,” she said.
GOALS AS AN EDUCATOR
Her first official day at Keewaydin was Aug. 6, 2012. “It is
always a little daunting to start a new job,” observed Spriggs. “At Keewaydin,
however, everyone has been extremely welcoming, supportive, and helpful. Many parents and community leaders have
come to meet me and lend their support.
I am grateful to the school community and I’m honored to be a part of
it.”
During the 2012-13 school year, Spriggs plans to learn from
teachers, parents, and students, and find ways to use her expertise. “For this
first year I will count on the excellent Keewaydin staff and community to show
me the ‘Keewaydin’ way,” Spriggs remarked.
Her overall goal as an educator is to do whatever it takes to
ensure every student is learning at high levels. “Minneapolis Public
Schools is dedicated to the idea
that every school has a strong leader and every classroom has a great teacher –
by doing this we can ensure that every student is high school ready when they
leave Keewaydin,” Spriggs said.
She added, “Over the next five years I hope to build a school
community that is an interesting and engaging place for adults and students to
learn and grow together.”
Spriggs will oversee the rest of the Keewaydin $16 million
building project that is doubling the size of the school. While most of the big
decisions have already been made and phase one is complete, she will help determine
things like colors, furniture and finishes. “Key stakeholders including
parents, park board, teachers, neighbors, and architects will continue to be
involved throughout the year,” Spriggs observed.
“It’s exciting to be a part of a large construction project
that will make a real difference for the students and the community,” Spriggs
said. “I’m looking forward to watching the beautiful student-centered space
come to completion.”
She encourages community
members to stay informed by checking the school’s web site at
http://lakenokomis.mpls.k12.mn.us/facilities.html.
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