Master’s, Principal License, Superintendent License
Dr. Steve Emerson received his Bachelor’s Degree in English Secondary Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, his Master’s degree in Athletic and Activities Administration from the University of St. Thomas and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas.
Dr. Emerson spent the first 16 years of his career teaching English and coaching several sports. He taught and coached one year at a Catholic school, 5 years in a rural school district and 10 years in a suburban district. He was a head high school football coach, wrestling coach and track coach. He was also a middle school football, wrestling, basketball, track and baseball coach. The last 19 years of his career he served as an Athletic/Activities Director, a School Improvement Specialist, an Assistant Principal and Principal. The last 7 years of his career he was the principal at Olson Middle School in Minneapolis where he received three Star of Innovation Awards from the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals for programs centered on school-wide literacy, culturally responsive pedagogy and personalized student learning. He also received a Minneapolis Educational Leadership Award for leading school change. While serving as a principal, he was also an adjunct professor for both the University of St. Thomas and Concordia University St. Paul.