Administration

Principal Dr. Kenneth O. Turner JR.

Phone: 651-325-2400
Kenneth.Turner@spps.org

As a person born and raised in the Rondo area of Saint Paul, Dr. Turner brings a wealth of experience in helping all students feel represented and accepted for who they are. He has served as an educator for 32 years and worked in Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) for the past 6 years as a teacher, leader, administrator, and most recently, as assistant principal for American Indian Magnet School. Dr. Turner understands the importance of collaborating with staff and families and embracing the unique gifts that each student brings.

Throughout his career, Dr. Turner has created schoolwide systems to improve student achievement and worked tirelessly using data to narrow the achievement gap. Dr. Turner works to engage and share information with families to help them make the best academic decisions for their child. He highly values family engagement and has built relationships between students and staff to create a positive school culture.

Dr. Turner looks forward to partnering with families, students, staff and the community to continue the great work at Benjamin E. Mays IB World School.

Dr. Turner has excellent academic qualifications with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Concordia University, a Master of Education degree in teaching and learning from St. Mary’s University – Twin Cities, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Minnesota State University Mankato.

Assistant Principal Danielle Beck

Phone: 651.325.2400
danielle.beck@spps.org

Degrees and Certifications:

BA Elementary Education: San Diego State University
MA Education Administration: University of Phoenix
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certified

Additional Qualifications:

Adjunct Elementary Math Methods Professor at the University of Minnesota
Current member of Minnesota Principal's Academy - University of Minnesota

Hello Benjamin E. Mays!

I am thrilled to join Dr. Turner and staff at Benjamin E. Mays for the 24-25 school year, and to be a part of this energizing and innovative community! This will be my 4th year as an assistant principal within SPPS serving the last 3 years at Global Arts Plus Lower.

My teaching experience spans 20 years teaching grades 1st - 8th in Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Roseville area schools. I am currently teaching elementary math methods to future teacher candidates enrolled in licensure programs at the University of Minnesota.

My husband and I made the move back to Minnesota 10 years ago, and we live in the area. We love our time here and the people we have met. Outside of school, we enjoy trying new restaurants and cheering for the Green Bay Packers - sorry Vikings fans! During our longer breaks, I have a passion for traveling the globe and immersing myself in a culture different from my own. My mission is to develop a deep love of learning in and out of the classroom for all of our scholars!

I am looking forward to working with you and your child, building strong relationships, and engaging with the work in all ways possible. Please reach out at any time. My door is open!

A Message from our Administration Team

A Message from our Administration Team

This is a year of Establishment. Our charge is establishing ourselves as a school where every child is growing academically, emotionally as well as socially.

As a school we plan to make sure that your child have the best educational experience. Our experiences this school year will define who we are and how we impact this world. This school year begins with a clear focus on academics and parental involvement. To ensure success for your child our staff is focusing on:

90 minutes of daily Reading instruction
90 minutes of daily Math instruction
50 minutes of Science and/or Writing
Additional daily instruction in Reading and Math for students as needed

The following highlights our focus on Parental Involvement:

Monthly meetings with the Principal (2nd Monday morning of each month)
Monthly classroom visits (2nd Monday morning of each month)
Focused learning objectives by Grade levels (Grade level Compacts)
Monthly evening events to support learning at home

I would like to provide you with a few suggestions to help your child be successful:

Believe in your child. Have high, yet realistic expectations.
Establish a daily routine for homework, chores, meals, and relaxation
Offer to help in the classroom or do other volunteer work at the school.
Model traits you want your child to have such as self-discipline and a love of learning.
Emphasize the value of hard work. Do not let your child blame others or bad luck for poor performance.
Monitor your child’s after-school activities.
Make time for reading, writing and family talks (Daily if possible).
Be respectful when talking with or about teachers and school.
Help your child imagine how education will help them “get ahead” in life.
Foster individuality. Respect your child’s ideas, even when they are different from yours own.

Our work will be grounded on providing the best educational experience for your child(ren). Mays IB World School offers a high quality program of international education to prepare our students to be apart of a worldwide community. We have talented, creative, and dedicated teachers and staff members. Working together with the school staff will allow this school year to be successful for your family.

Respectfully,

Benjamin E. Mays Administrative Team

PBIS Matrix