Anna Willhite, Principal

  • Anna Willhite

    Anna Willhite is excited to continue her leadership at Kennedy and is honored to serve this amazing community. This will be her 4th year as the lead principal and 7th 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 their 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

Jenna Tschirgi, Assistant Principal

  • Jenna TschirgiJenna Tschirgi is grateful to serve the Kennedy Community in her first year as the assistant principal. She is excited to bring her passion for instruction, data, PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) and inclusion to ensure students have access to what they need to be successful. Jenna is passionate about helping students realize and develop their individual strengths, believing all students can and will succeed. Building strong relationships is her priority and she looks forward to working alongside all members of the Kennedy community to create successful outcomes for all students.  

    Jenna graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2012 where she received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education with an emphasis in Developmental Delay. She then attended Concordia University, St. Paul where she earned a master’s degree in Special Education – Autism Spectrum Disorders and K-12 Educational Leadership. This is Jenna’s 11th year serving in the St. Cloud Area School District as a special educational teacher and the lead special education teacher at Kennedy Community School.  

    Jenna is married and a mom of two daughters. She loves to spend time at the lake, travel and play outside with her family.

    Email: Jenna Tschirgi