A new year, a new beginning for all of us

Column from Superintendent Greg Cole

As a resident, proud parent, and long-time employee of Anoka-Hennepin Schools, I can’t say often enough what an honor it is to serve as superintendent. I have served as a teacher, principal and chief operations officer in our district and frankly, Anoka-Hennepin is the only school district I have ever wanted to lead because of who we are and who we can become – together.

The 2026-27 school year is both a new year and a new beginning for all of us. I’m confident our schools will find many paths forward to do great things for the students and families of this district. The urgency is now to ensure our students have the skills, knowledge, and abilities that lead to their future success. We need to do all we can to create the next generation of academically prepared, well-rounded, agile thinkers and problem solvers.

Whenever I visit our classrooms, I see students who are on the cusp of greatness. We can seize the opportunity to create the next amazing generation for America and the world. I believe our students today – here in Anoka-Hennepin – can be that generation as long as we do three things: 

• BELIEVE in them,
• CHALLENGE them,
• and EMPOWER them.

Each student, one at a time.

This challenge starts with me as the superintendent. I will do all I can to strengthen our students and ensure our schools are the preferred destinations of learning our residents choose for their children's education.

Our school district's strategic priorities of literacy, student engagement, and staff recruitment and retention are the foundation for the type of focus that will impact our students’ experience today and in the decades to come. 

Literacy is weightlifting for the brain, giving students the imagination, confidence, and ability to thrive in any class or activity. Student engagement includes “the why,” so that students know clearly how and why their learning will matter. Each student should feel a strong sense of belonging and that they are seen and valued. As important, hiring and keeping the most qualified teachers and staff is essential for optimal execution of the district’s vision and mission to “effectively educate each of our students for success.” 

I’m confident we’re focused on the right things to empower our students to thrive, and I'm excited about what we’ll do together to make our students and our schools exceptional destinations for learning and places that ignite better outcomes each and every day.