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Anna Willhite is excited to continue her leadership at Kennedy and is honored to serve this amazing community. This will be her 5th year as the lead principal and 8th year as an administrator at Kennedy. She enjoys using her knowledge in instruction, curriculum, data, assessment and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) to ensure that all students are receiving the tools, skills and knowledge they need in order to be successful in their futures. Willhite values partnering with families and all members of the school community to ensure academic and social emotional success for students. She wants what is best for all children and believes that focusing on strengths and honoring the good is how staff will be the most effective.
Willhite has been with District 742 since 2008. She has been a classroom language arts teacher, instructional leader, administrative intern, assistant principal and served on various district leadership committees. Willhite received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of St. Benedict. She has a passion for literacy success for all students and received her reading certificate and master's in Literacy Education from St. Mary's University. She also completed her administrative licensure through St. Mary's University.
Some fun facts about Ms. Willhite: She is married, has three children and a dog. She loves reading, cooking, playing games and exploring all that nature has to share. In her free time, she loves playing and watching sports, coaching her children, traveling, family movie nights and going on adventures.
Email: Anna Willhite
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Jenna Tschirgi is grateful to continue serving the Kennedy Community School as the assistant principal in her second year. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of relationships and restorative practices, she is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students. Her passion for instruction, data analysis, PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), and inclusion drives her commitment to ensuring that every student has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.Having graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2012, Tschirgi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Developmental Delay. Recognizing the importance of specialized education, she further pursued her academic journey at Concordia University, St. Paul, where she earned a master's degree in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders and K-12 Educational Leadership. With over a decade of experience in St. Cloud Area School District, her expertise as a special educational teacher and lead special education teacher at Kennedy Community School uniquely equips her to address the diverse needs of the student population.While Tschirgi is driven by her professional responsibilities, her family plays an integral role in her life. She is a dedicated wife and loving mother to two daughters. Outside of her role at school, she cherishes quality time spent with her family. Whether it's enjoying the tranquility of the lake, embarking on exciting travels, or simply playing outdoors, she values the joy and connection that these shared experiences bring.As Tschirgi begins her second year as the assistant principal at Kennedy Community School, she looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships with students, families and staff members. By fostering an environment grounded in restorative practices, she strives to empower students to recognize and develop their individual strengths, firmly believing that every student can and will succeed. Collaborating with the entire Kennedy community, Tschirgi is committed to creating successful outcomes for all students and ensuring that each individual feels supported and valued throughout their educational journey.Email: Jenna Tschirgi
