The 2025-26 school year was the most challenging of my 14-year career as a superintendent. From navigating immigration anxieties and extreme weather to a district-wide closure, the weight of leadership was heavy. But in times of chaos, you see a community’s true character. ✨ Our staff’s heroism, our students' resilience, and the unwavering support Willmar showed for one another eclipsed every dark cloud. We weathered the storms together. I am incredibly proud to be part of this community. Thank you for your trust, patience, and support. Have a restful summer! 🔴🦅 Read more 👉🏼 bit.ly/4azuLWA #WillmarProud #isd347

Congratulations to Maddie Molacek on becoming the Class AA state champion in the discus as well as throwing a school and Class AA record with a throw of 143-08!!! @cardsathletics

Congratulations to Mallory Beier on finishing in 2nd place at the Class AA state meet in the long jump and breaking the school record with a jump of 18’ 7”!

🏊‍♂️ @isd347 State Boys Swimming & Diving Update! 🏊‍♂️ 👏 Sam Sheets places 5th in the prelims (50 Free) and 7th in the prelims (100 Breaststroke), qualifying for finals in both events! 👏 Our 200-yard Freestyle Relay Team (Sam Sheets, Beckham Sebesta, Matthew Lammers, Abram Schueler) punches their ticket to finals after finishing 8th in the prelims! Good luck in tomorrow’s finals! 🔥💪 #WillmarProud #isd347

Congrats Sam on making the Championship heat in the 50 Free!!! @ISD347 @YulpSection

Cardinal S&D 200Free qualifies in 8th and will swim in the Championship heat tomorrow!!! @ISD347 @YulpSection

Cardinal Swimming gets one more in the Championship heat. Sam Sheets finishes 7th and will swim tomorrow in the Championship heat!!! @ISD347 @YulpSection

Willmar Wrestling Update! The @ISD347 wrestlers in the boys division went 4-for-4 in the quarterfinals at the State Wrestling Tournament, meaning all four are guaranteed to medal! 🏅💪 Quarterfinal Results: 🤼 Landon Kassel – W 10–4 🤼 Caiden Kassel – W 7–1 🚀 Cavin Carlson – Tech fall (15–0, 4:37) 💥 Lawson Anez – Major decision (13–4) They’ll hit the mat again tonight in the semifinals! Let’s go, Cardinals! 🔴 In the girls' division, more success! Brynn Streff won by fall in 4:22. They will all wrestle again this evening. #isd347 #willmarproud @cardsathletics

Final result from Grand Casino Arena for @isd347 wrestling: Brynn Streff battled hard but fell in overtime, 4–7. She’ll be back on the mat tomorrow morning in the wrestlebacks. 💪🤼‍♀️ #isd347 #WillmarProud

Willmar State Wrestling – 1st Round Results! 💪 Landon Kassel – W by fall (1:28) 🤼 Caiden Kassell – W by decision (13–10) 🚀 Cavin Carlson – Tech fall (19–4, 3:21) ⚡ Lawson Anez – Tech fall (17–1, 3:38) Brynn Streff is up soon! Cardinals are rolling! 🔴 #WillmarProud #isd347 @ISD347 @cardsathletics

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." 🌍 Happy Celebrating Public Schools Week! Recognizing the power of public education and the dedicated, highly qualified staff at @ISD347 who make a difference every day. Read more: bit.ly/46x0R3s 🍎🏫 #WillmarProud #PublicSchoolsWeek #PublicEd

That’s a wrap on #NCE2026! 🎬✨ As an official @aasahq blogger, I’m heading home with a full notebook and a full heart. My final post covers one-degree culture shifts, the power of community "rounding," & an inspiring keynote from Dr. Marcelle Haddix. Read it here: bit.ly/4aRlUA0 📖

📚⏱️ 15 Minutes can make a real difference. Family engagement works when it’s designed for real families, not just the usual few. Research shows the right approach can drive meaningful literacy gains for students. Read more from today’s session here 👉 bit.ly/4qsJJCR #NCE2026 #FamilyEngagement #Literacy @MsReidReads @ignite_reading

Choosing dignity transforms how we learn, work, and lead. One moment at a time, we can build stronger relationships and a stronger community. Let’s keep reaching for Level 8! Learn more ➡️ bit.ly/4oK16z7 #WillmarProud #Dignity #isd347 @ISD347 🤝🌟❤️

🧡 HS students showed their unity by wearing orange & creating a kindness chain with Student Council! Together, we stand against bullying & for kindness. 💪 #WillmarPublicSchools #HighSchool #UnityDay #CardinalPride

Students who attend @ISD347 ’s Focus House engaged in a pumpkin 🎃 decorating contest this week. It was a difficult choice but I did cast my vote. ✅ #WillmarProud #isd347

🔍 Miss T’s 4th graders are getting hands-on with magnetics! Big thanks to para Maggie Goblirsch for capturing the fun as students explored and experimented in class. 🧲✨ #WillmarPublicSchools #InTheClassroom #CardinalPride #STEMLearning #ElementaryScience #HandsOnLearning