Bob Brenden This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Focus News - Education

   www.focusnews.com/education.sh - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/8/2002   Last Visited: 6/8/2002

   Brenden taught school in '70s in Spring Lake Park district
   
   ...
   Ten years ago, when Bob Brenden became principal at Fridley's Hayes Elementary School, in his heart he knew it was where he wanted to finish his career. He has reached that point, and as the 2001-02 year draws to a close he looks forward to spending more time at his lake cabin with wife Mary, who is retired from the Robbinsdale School District. Brenden began his career in education 33 years ago as a sixth-grade teacher at Westwood Elementary School in the Spring Lake Park School District. At first, he had no plans to seek administrative qualifications. "I enjoyed the satisfaction of working with students," said Brenden. "There was good teamwork among the staff. It was a good teaching experience. "I think the parents of my students felt good about having me as their teacher." Approximately two-thirds through what would become nine years of service at Westwood, however, Brenden began graduate studies in order to become a principal - at the urging of Westwood's principal. Brenden completed both his undergraduate and graduate work at St. Cloud State University. Brenden left Westwood to become a principal at an elementary school in the St. Francis School District. Through a rotating system, Brenden ended up serving at three elementary schools in the St. Francis district over 14 years before coming to Hayes. He wouldn't have left the St. Francis school community for just any other district, just for a change of scenery. Hayes school and the Fridley School District "had a strong reputation," said Brenden. "That was very important for me." Brenden's son, a 1992 graduate of Fridley High School, and daughter, a 1996 Fridley grad, both attended Hayes Elementary, so Brenden was already familiar with the school as a father. The strengths of Hayes Elementary are common throughout District 14, Brenden said. "We've been able to provide a lot of opportunities for students. There is great effort by all staff to help students be successful." And that determination has not wavered in financially tight times, Brenden adds. "We've still been able to maintain our focus on students and provide a quality education for them." As he prepares to retire from the Hayes community, Brenden would like all present and future students to be mindful that, while there, they are obligated to do their best to grow through skill development and social interaction. They must also learn to have fun at school and enjoy it, he said. Brenden advises all teachers and staff to continue in their dedication to helping children, regardless of future funding concerns. "Try to continue to provide the quality education that we have, in spite of budget constraints," said Brenden, adding that teachers and staff must also continue to "appreciate the support that we have gotten from the community." To the parents and greater Fridley community, Brenden would ask that they maintain their "involvement with children's learning, appreciate the time and effort teachers give in helping students be successful, and remain confident that staff is trying to provide an effective learning environment." Brenden hopes that Hayes' next principal will also find the position to be rewarding. "I feel very fortunate to have been able to serve as principal here. It's truly been a wonderful experience for me." Tuesday, May 7, 2002

2. 2. Focus News - Minnesota Community NewsPaper

   www.focusnews.com/mainnews/arc - [Cached]

   Last Visited: 8/25/2002

   Brenden taught school in '70s in Spring Lake Park district
   
   ...
   Ten years ago, when Bob Brenden became principal at Fridley's Hayes Elementary School, in his heart he knew it was where he wanted to finish his career. He has reached that point, and as the 2001-02 year draws to a close he looks forward to spending more time at his lake cabin with wife Mary, who is retired from the Robbinsdale School District. Brenden began his career in education 33 years ago as a sixth-grade teacher at Westwood Elementary School in the Spring Lake Park School District. At first, he had no plans to seek administrative qualifications. "I enjoyed the satisfaction of working with students," said Brenden. "There was good teamwork among the staff. It was a good teaching experience. "I think the parents of my students felt good about having me as their teacher." Approximately two-thirds through what would become nine years of service at Westwood, however, Brenden began graduate studies in order to become a principal - at the urging of Westwood's principal. Brenden completed both his undergraduate and graduate work at St. Cloud State University. Brenden left Westwood to become a principal at an elementary school in the St. Francis School District. Through a rotating system, Brenden ended up serving at three elementary schools in the St. Francis district over 14 years before coming to Hayes. He wouldn't have left the St. Francis school community for just any other district, just for a change of scenery. Hayes school and the Fridley School District "had a strong reputation," said Brenden. "That was very important for me." Brenden's son, a 1992 graduate of Fridley High School, and daughter, a 1996 Fridley grad, both attended Hayes Elementary, so Brenden was already familiar with the school as a father. The strengths of Hayes Elementary are common throughout District 14, Brenden said. "We've been able to provide a lot of opportunities for students. There is great effort by all staff to help students be successful." And that determination has not wavered in financially tight times, Brenden adds. "We've still been able to maintain our focus on students and provide a quality education for them." As he prepares to retire from the Hayes community, Brenden would like all present and future students to be mindful that, while there, they are obligated to do their best to grow through skill development and social interaction. They must also learn to have fun at school and enjoy it, he said. Brenden advises all teachers and staff to continue in their dedication to helping children, regardless of future funding concerns. "Try to continue to provide the quality education that we have, in spite of budget constraints," said Brenden, adding that teachers and staff must also continue to "appreciate the support that we have gotten from the community." To the parents and greater Fridley community, Brenden would ask that they maintain their "involvement with children's learning, appreciate the time and effort teachers give in helping students be successful, and remain confident that staff is trying to provide an effective learning environment." Brenden hopes that Hayes' next principal will also find the position to be rewarding. "I feel very fortunate to have been able to serve as principal here. It's truly been a wonderful experience for me." Tuesday, May 7, 2002
   
   The following are some of the most recent incidents reported to the Blaine, Columbia Heights, Fridley and Spring Lake Park police departments.

3. 3. www.bernardy.campaignoffice.com

   www.bernardy.campaignoffice.co - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/10/2000   Last Visited: 3/5/2002

   -- Bob Brenden Principal, Hayes Elementary School Former Spring Lake Park Teacher
   
   Media Gallery
   
   Continue