School briefs: Tartan's Bezek named state's top principal

John Bezek, the principal of Tartan High School in Oakdale, was recently named Minnesota's High School Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals.

Bezek also has served as a social studies teacher and guidance counselor in Littlefork Big Falls, Minn., Montgomery-Lonsdale High School and Park High School in Cottage Grove.

He was hired as the principal of Tartan in 2003. "Every role I've had, I've enjoyed," Bezek said. "I like interacting and working with people."

"Dr. Bezek exemplifies collaborative leadership at its finest," said Patty Phillips, superintendent of North St. Paul, Maplewood and Oakdale Schools. "He brings a fabulous sense of humor and a deep insight into the importance of culture to school with him each day."

Bezek has since been hired as the assistant superintendent of Shakopee Schools.

Students honored for Robinson essays Three Lakes International Language Academy students were recognized at a recent Minnesota Twins game for their essays on how Jackie Robinson acted as a hero and civil rights ambassador.

The "Opening Doors" essay contest is sponsored annually by the Twins and the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce.

"[Jackie Robinson] is best known for what he did in the field of baseball to help African Americans, but I think it is important for people to know that he had a goal that was bigger than a baseball field," Aria wrote in her essay. "He wanted everyone to be recognized for what they could do instead of the color of their skin."

The students were honored during an April pregame ceremony at Target Field.

Board starts new counseling program White Bear Lake Area High School will start a new counseling program next school year.

Two counselors will be added to allow every grade level to have two counselors. Each will serve a class from freshman year through graduation.

"I really like the idea of the 'rolling counseling' ninth through 12th, where the counselors will be staying with the students so we have consistency," said Kim Chapman, a school board member.

Megan Zachman, a teacher at Middleton Elementary, was awarded $7,095 to start a Lego program. Molly Lester, a teacher at Newport Elementary, was awarded $10,299 to start a Lego program to be offered throughout the regular school year and a summer academy.

Logan Carstensen , a teacher at Lake Middle School, was awarded $10,300 to purchase hands-on science materials for his classroom.

Michelle Grubbs, a teacher at Cottage Grove Middle School, was awarded $10,262 to purchase supplies for her life science classes.