Greetings! Welcome to the first edition of “Sup Scoop,” a blog dedicated to sharing all things BEA. I’d like to share a little background about myself for my inaugural blog. As in, my first ever blog...my background is as a Business Education teacher, but it took me being a Superintendent to find a purpose to blog.
My journey in education began a little later in life compared to most teachers. My first chosen career was in Marketing, but when I began to love my coaching gigs more than I loved my 9 to 5 job, well, I decided I needed to make the change and dive into education so I could work with kids all day. I’ve never looked back nor regretted my decision to do this. I wake up every day and head to a place that I have never seen as a job, but more as a channel and outlet for me to do the things I love - which is help develop a love of learning for our future leaders. I could not be more humbled and honored that I am right back to where my educational journey started more than 20 years ago, here at Blue Earth Area. Growing up in Elmore and graduating from Blue Earth Area has helped shape me into the adult I am today, and I could not be more thrilled to be giving back to the very community that provided me such an excellent foundation. In a world where one can be anything and go anywhere, my husband (also a BEA graduate) and I intentionally choose to remain here as we know it is the perfect place to raise our kids.
My experience in education began as a Business Education teacher where I had the opportunity to teach in a few different districts in southern Minnesota. It was after roughly 6 or so years I decided I was ready for the next step, administration. As such, I returned to school to pursue my K-12 Principal’s license while working as a Dean of Students. The following year I was hired on as K-12 Principal in a small district, and it was during this first year my Superintendent at the time encouraged me to work on my Superintendent’s license. I laughed him off initially and said absolutely not. However, I am grateful that he saw potential in me and continued to encourage me to return to school for my Superintendent’s license, which I completed the following year. The same district where I obtained my first Principal job kept me on, but transitioned my title to Superintendent/Principal. This brings me to where I am today, grateful to serve Blue Earth Area as Superintendent of schools and very excited to once again be home.
It’s hard to believe that we are already in mid-July, but alas, here we are. That means that I have already attended my first board meeting as your BEA Superintendent--it was a great meeting and all of the board members are so positive. My first meeting was also a first meeting for our newest board member, Jeff Eckles, who took his Oath of Office at our July meeting. Welcome to Jeff! We are grateful for your interest in serving our district and students. Some other highlights of the meeting were talking about all the wonderful summer projects happening around our schools. Our custodians are incredibly busy over summers, and this summer is no different. They are busy completing new flooring, tuckpointing, painting, and waxing to name just a few. We are so appreciative of their hard work over the summer to get our building ready for excited students in the fall!
Also discussed at the meeting was getting a fair booth again this year at the Faribault County Fair. I am very excited to share that the School Board will have a booth representing BEA at the fair this year...and I am bursting with excitement at one of the goodies we will be giving away to fair goers who stop by our booth. But, that is all I can say for now, you will have to stop by and visit us at the fair to see what those goodies are!
Again, a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful people of this community who have taken time out of your busy lives to stop by, call, or reach out in some way to welcome and wish me well. Your outpouring support has been positively overwhelming to me, and I am truly grateful for each and every one of you.
See you at the fair!
Superintendent Fletcher