Krell achieves top state honor

A top educator, who once reigned on the national level as a distinguished principal, has added yet another honor to her portfolio.
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators has named Michelle Krell of Blooming Prairie the Outstanding Central Office Leader. Krell currently serves as the director of teaching and learning for Owatonna Public Schools.
Krell received her latest honor by exhibiting a willingness to risk, possessing strong communication skills, being a progressive change agent and having high expectations for herself and others.
The association honored Krell during its spring conference held virtually last Thursday and Friday.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized by the great educational leaders in our state,” said Krell.
Krell said she credits the work that has been done in Owatonna to a collaborative, team effort. “I work with an amazing superintendent, district leadership team, and teaching and learning department,” she said. “We have become a cohesive leadership team who have common beliefs, a clear mission and strong commitments.”
“My dad always said, surround yourself with great people and great things will happen,” she said, adding that with the current Owatonna team, it surely rings true.
Superintendent Jeff Elstad said Krell is a professional educator in every sense of the word. “In every step of her career, she has found success through determined effort, grit and always putting people first,” he said.
Elstad said Krell has transformed the teaching and learning department into a data-based, yet people-centered department by focusing on learning through real listening and finding unique ways to empower staff and students. “She is a true problem solver,” he said.
Krell began her teaching career in Owatonna before leaving to work in a couple other area districts. In 2014, when she was principal at Kasson-Mantorville, Krell achieved the National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
She rejoined Owatonna in 2017 when she began serving in her current role.
During her time in Owatonna, Krell has been working collaboratively to build and support the design of a Career Pathways program at the high school to align coursework with fields of study to better inform students and families in making career or college choices.
Krell has facilitated the implementation of a strong literacy and math program and has supported Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for students. She has also led the changes in the district’s professional development system to better align the needs of the staff with relevant and authentic opportunities to learn new skills.
Her additional accomplishments include taking a leadership role in the passage of a $122 million bond referendum to build a new high school, recruiting and hiring of a top-notch team in the teaching and learning department and successfully planning and implementing “Courageous Educators: Racial Equity Training” for more than 120 district staff members.
Some of her other career achievements include the 2013-14 Minnesota School of Excellence Award, 2012 MESPA Leadership Award, 2011 National Distinguished Principal nominee and top three finalist and a 2006 Blue Ribbon School Award.
Krell has earned a master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She holds a sixth year administrative and superintendent licensure from Mankato.
Krell graduated from Blooming Prairie High School. Her husband, Rodney, currently serves as the chairman of the Blooming Prairie School Board and her daughter, Jenna, teaches at Blooming Prairie Elementary School. The Krells operate a crop farm outside of Blooming Prairie.