SPONSORED CONTENT Photo by Steve Woit SCSU creates a foundation of our community's education ZACHARY DWYER University Communications St. Cloud State Uni- versity is a pathway for transformational teach- ing journeys. Even for those who least expect it. St. Cloud Tech High School Principal Molly Kensy took a unique route to completing her graduate degree at St. Cloud State. After teaching third and fourth graders in Becker Public Schools, she was encouraged to pursue the education required to receive a principal and adminis- trator license. With a three-year-old and one-year-old at home and a third child on the way, she knew time was of the essence. She was told it would take four years to com- plete her degree. She had an alternative timeline. "It was a family com- mitment to get through the master's program in Educational Adminis tration and Leadership, and then the K-12 Prin- cipal and District Super- intendent licenses," she said. "I was able to com- plete all of that in five semesters." That enthusiasm to complete tasks that don't seem possible is what drives Kensy as an administrator. After working in St. Cloud Area School Dis- trict 742 as Dean of Stu- dents at Apollo High School, she served as the assistant principal at Tech High School for three years and has now been the principal at Tech since 2023. Kensy recalls her SCSU professors match- ing her enthusiasm of how she wanted to teach students. Associate pro- fessor of teacher devel- opment Dr. Martin Lo, who Kensy recalled holding one of her chil- dren while she finished an exam, stood out despite math not being one of her favorite subjects. She said Lo's classes taught her how to prob- lem solve, find solutions and think critically which are all key parts of her current role at Tech. "You make 1,000 deci- sions a day and 100 mis- takes, but you hope all of it lands in the best interest of kids," she said. "That's part of showing up every day." Kensy was able to "choose her adventure" in her graduate pro- gram to see different districts, principals and activities. She also gained valuable insight from her cohort peers working in different roles in education. "I've been lucky enough to really encour age people who are look- ing to go back to school for their admin license or figure out what their next steps are to share my story about how St. Cloud State worked for me." District 742 Partnerships St. Cloud State is instrumental in provid- ing educators for the Molly Kensy region and state, with a legacy of training future teachers for over 150 years. According to data compiled by the SCSU Career Center, 99 percent of recent graduates from SCSU's College of Edu- cation and Learning Design found employ- ment within the first year, and 97 percent found jobs in Minnesota. Many of those educa- tors stayed in Central Minnesota districts, including nearly 20 teachers joining St. Cloud's District 742. SCSU maintains a strong relationship with District 742 and part- nered for the district's Future 100 event this fall, which was a new initiative from the dis- trict to help students chart a successful course after high school and see what opportunities can lie ahead with the com- munity's support. "What delights me about this community is we could have these ideas, and then people show up and make it happen," District 742 Superintendent Laurie Putnam said. "It came together quickly because we have so many great folks that will step up for our kids." St. Cloud Tech and St. Cloud Apollo High School students were given a day to either submit applications to a local university or col- lege, meet with military recruiters, connect with local employers or sub- mit applications to insti- tutions outside of the region. Nearly 100 com- munity volunteers joined to make the event possible. "I think our students had no idea there were that many people in our community cheering for them and invested in their future," Kensy said. "That was an excit- ing opportunity for us." SCSU's entire admis- sions department was on hand to volunteer their time, and current SCSU students were also involved. "It was great to hear from former Tech and Apollo students how their journey from their high school to SCSU has been during the student panel," said SCSU Direc tor of Admis sions Michael Hanna. "They were also able to show how attending col- lege is an option for anyone." St. Cloud State Uni versity continues to ensure a stronger com- munity by preparing the next generation of teachers. Learn more about SCSU's education program at stcloudstate. edu/coeld. SPONSORED CONTENT Photo by Steve Woit SCSU creates a foundation of our community's education ZACHARY DWYER University Communications St. Cloud State Uni- versity is a pathway for transformational teach- ing journeys . Even for those who least expect it . St. Cloud Tech High School Principal Molly Kensy took a unique route to completing her graduate degree at St. Cloud State . After teaching third and fourth graders in Becker Public Schools , she was encouraged to pursue the education required to receive a principal and adminis- trator license . With a three - year - old and one - year - old at home and a third child on the way , she knew time was of the essence . She was told it would take four years to com- plete her degree . She had an alternative timeline . " It was a family com- mitment to get through the master's program in Educational Adminis tration and Leadership , and then the K - 12 Prin- cipal and District Super- intendent licenses , " she said . " I was able to com- plete all of that in five semesters . " That enthusiasm to complete tasks that don't seem possible is what drives Kensy as an administrator . After working in St. Cloud Area School Dis- trict 742 as Dean of Stu- dents at Apollo High School , she served as the assistant principal at Tech High School for three years and has now been the principal at Tech since 2023 . Kensy recalls her SCSU professors match- ing her enthusiasm of how she wanted to teach students . Associate pro- fessor of teacher devel- opment Dr. Martin Lo , who Kensy recalled holding one of her chil- dren while she finished an exam , stood out despite math not being one of her favorite subjects . She said Lo's classes taught her how to prob- lem solve , find solutions and think critically which are all key parts of her current role at Tech . " You make 1,000 deci- sions a day and 100 mis- takes , but you hope all of it lands in the best interest of kids , " she said . " That's part of showing up every day . " Kensy was able to " choose her adventure " in her graduate pro- gram to see different districts , principals and activities . She also gained valuable insight from her cohort peers working in different roles in education . " I've been lucky enough to really encour age people who are look- ing to go back to school for their admin license or figure out what their next steps are to share my story about how St. Cloud State worked for me . " District 742 Partnerships St. Cloud State is instrumental in provid- ing educators for the Molly Kensy region and state , with a legacy of training future teachers for over 150 years . According to data compiled by the SCSU Career Center , 99 percent of recent graduates from SCSU's College of Edu- cation and Learning Design found employ- ment within the first year , and 97 percent found jobs in Minnesota . Many of those educa- tors stayed in Central Minnesota districts , including nearly 20 teachers joining St. Cloud's District 742 . SCSU maintains a strong relationship with District 742 and part- nered for the district's Future 100 event this fall , which was a new initiative from the dis- trict to help students chart a successful course after high school and see what opportunities can lie ahead with the com- munity's support . " What delights me about this community is we could have these ideas , and then people show up and make it happen , " District 742 Superintendent Laurie Putnam said . " It came together quickly because we have so many great folks that will step up for our kids . " St. Cloud Tech and St. Cloud Apollo High School students were given a day to either submit applications to a local university or col- lege , meet with military recruiters , connect with local employers or sub- mit applications to insti- tutions outside of the region . Nearly 100 com- munity volunteers joined to make the event possible . " I think our students had no idea there were that many people in our community cheering for them and invested in their future , " Kensy said . " That was an excit- ing opportunity for us . " SCSU's entire admis- sions department was on hand to volunteer their time , and current SCSU students were also involved . " It was great to hear from former Tech and Apollo students how their journey from their high school to SCSU has been during the student panel , " said SCSU Direc tor of Admis sions Michael Hanna . " They were also able to show how attending col- lege is an option for anyone . " St. Cloud State Uni versity continues to ensure a stronger com- munity by preparing the next generation of teachers . Learn more about SCSU's education program at stcloudstate . edu / coeld .