Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Rasmussen.
Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a life long learner, I had aspirations early on to work as an athletic director in a school. Shortly after graduating from college I found out I needed a teaching license, that was not part of the plan. I decided to pursue my athletic journey of supporting athletics and enrolled in graduate school and started coaching at local high schools. Quickly I found out that I could work at the school as a paraprofessional and support students and myself in reaching our academic and life goals. After a year, I was offered a teaching position and things just continued from there in the education world. I worked in public and private schools as a teacher and administrator and pursued my Principal and Superintendent license. For the last 10 years I have been working as a lead school administrator in public school systems in the Twin Cities area. Also In the last 10 years I earned my MBA in Change and Leadership to support my next move, which was to become a charter school Executive Director.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A smooth road, with some bumps along the way. Overall, education administration is super challenging but for the most part it is a really great job. Supporting staff and students in being their best self, working through challenges together and creating a space where all are welcome and can thrive truly has been and continues to be one of my main focuses. ‘
The biggest challenges as an administrator are the unknowns – enrollment and funding are two of the main things that cause the most stress for me as an administrator. I know that what we do is needed in our community and that we are doing good work, so we must just stay the course and carry on.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work as an Executive Director at a small K-12 public charter school in Minneapolis. We serve a unique mix of students in our Hybrid and 100% online programs. I would say that I am known for being able to connect with people, hear them, truly listen to what they are saying and experiencing and then doing what I can to help them be the best version of themself, whether that be at CVA or in another space. Being an empathetic, compassionate and driven leader who wants to stay connected to all aspects of education are some of my passions. I’m really good and discipline and working through issues with students and parents and helping them know that there are other ways things can go and that they can achieve things through partnership and trust. Creating trusting relationships with high expectations are the key. Honestly, hard work and transparency are other things I would say I am known for.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That I am not a classically trained teacher, I came to education by chance. Also we have 6 children that we are supporting and raising to become amazing humans, or that’s what we hope.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cybervillageacademy.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CVACyberCats
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rasmussen-56585214/
