By Eric Erickson
Principal Brown wins honor
The Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) has named Como Park Senior High School Principal Diana Brown as the Capitol Division Principal of the Year.
There are eight divisions within the MASSP. The Capitol Division includes St. Paul and all of Ramsey, Washington and Dakota counties.
This January, the MASSP will select one high school principal as the state’s Principal of the Year.
The nomination for Brown recognized her work as a leader in developing an equitable and engaging educational environment while also highlighting some of her characteristics and attributes. Those included, “Showing up unapologetically authentic. As a strong black woman, she brings work ethic, compassion, joy and trust to the Como community.”
The nomination also said Brown is a lifelong learner and teacher, “strongly believing that you get out what you put in.”
While surprised to receive this honor after her first year at Como, Brown is enthused for her school.
“I am very happy to bring this honor to the Como Community because we are doing great things here.” Brown said. “Our students are my priority, and I will continue to work on making this an environment where everyone belongs, succeeds and flourishes.”
Como students travel to Spain
Spanish teacher Leah Deiman and two colleagues led 22 students for a week of immersive education during July in Spain.
Coordinating with Education First (EF Tours), the group traveled to Barcelona and Madrid.
The itinerary included a walk along Las Ramblas and several famous Barcelona landmarks such as La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Montjuïc, the Gothic Quarter and the Cathedral.
Madrid activities included visits to the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Puerto del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Mercado de San Miguel, as well as a flamenco dance lesson and seeing a show.
While the art and architecture of the Spanish cities was abundant, Deiman said the greatest value for students was “gaining independence and self-confidence through exploring different cultural perspectives and practicing what we’ve learned in the classroom out in the real world.”
As is often the case with traveling, going with the flow helped make some unexpected, pleasant memories. One day, the student group arrived too late to see a sunset at the beach. “Instead, we got to swim and watch a full moon rise over the Mediterranean Sea—bright orange and huge,” Deiman said. “It was something none of us will forget.”
Eric Erickson is a social studies teacher at Como Park Senior High School and a regular freelance contributor to the Bugle.
Photo Credit: Como students in Barcelona, Spain, during summer break. Photo submitted by Leah Deiman
