We are SPPS: Ȟoká Máza

Chaske Henry and his brother Robert Henry are students at Harding High School and founders of the drum group Ȟoká Máza. Inspired by their elder male role models, they use songs that have been passed down for generations as a way of connecting to their Indigenous heritage and sharing their culture. It is a way to forge healing and pay tribute to their roots, not only during Native American Heritage Month, but year-round.

No Mountain Too Tall for Shania Nichols-Van Nett

The Como Park basketball player, who this winter reached the 1,000-point plateau, suffered three major knee injuries in four years but never let it stop her.

Gavriel Pappas is a National Merit Scholar

Pappas will major in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development at the University of Minnesota, while minoring in Spanish. He will also be part of the University Honors Program.

Kyaira Wilson Is a Leader In and Out of the Classroom

Harding senior Kyaira Wilson loves helping people. After participating in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) for three years, Wilson became an AVID student tutor to help her peers gain confidence in the classroom.

Torin Keis & Other SPPS Students Excel at Irish Dance

Randolph Heights Elementary student Torin Keis kicks it Irish after school, dancing with other SPPS students with O'Shea Irish Dance at Saint Paul’s Celtic Junction Arts Center.

Ayla Bornsztein: Student Performs in The Guthrie’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

Ayla Bornsztein maintains a 4.0 GPA, volunteers as a student aide at Murray Middle School, and pursues her passion for acting in The Guthrie Theater’s production of “A Christmas Carol”.

Tory Envy: Breaking Boundaries, Encouraging Representation & Keeping Hmong Literacy Alive

Tory developed her love of reading as a student at Cherokee Heights Elementary, and now writes children's books in Hmong and English to inspire kids like her.

Kehinde Olafeso: Creating a Safe Learning Environment for Our Students

Kehinde Olafeso, also known as Coach K, and other SPPS school and community support liaisons work closely with school staff to develop relationships with students.

Maria Soto

Maria Soto is a longtime Saint Paul Public Schools staff member who is currently serving as a special education teaching assistant and on-call Spanish interpreter for the Latino Consent Decree Parent Advisory Council (LCD PAC).

Davis Isom: Highland Senior to Ski for USA in Finland

Highland Park senior and cross-country skier Davis Isom, was selected to the United States’ under-18 team that will compete at the Nordic Nations Cup in Finland.

Jenny Konkel: Nominated for ESP of the Year

SPPS education assistant Jenny Konkel was named one of four finalists for the 2022-23 Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year award from Education Minnesota.

Cherise Ayers: Central's New Principal Is No Stranger

It’s a homecoming for Cherise Ayers, a second-generation Central alumna who graduated in 1997. After a long and winding road, she’s found her way home again.

Cole Spitzer: Central’s First Division I Baseball Signee in 28 Years

Growing up as a Derek Jeter fan, it would be no surprise if Cole Spitzer had gone on to be a prized shortstop. But at 9 years old, he “volunteered” to start pitching and the rest is history.

Abdullahi Soyan: SPPS Translations Specialist Publishes Children's Book

Somali Translations Specialist Abdullahi Soyan recently published his first children's picture book called "When River Stopped Singing to Cloud".

Chef Bono & the Nutrition Center Kitchen

When you think of school lunch, you may not think about homemade breads, specialty sauces or ingredients sourced from local family-owned businesses. But that’s exactly what SPPS students get to eat every day thanks to Chef Bono and his hard-working team in the Nutrition Center Kitchen.

Michael Houston is 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Michael Houston, a mathematics teacher at Harding High School, is the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. At Harding, Houston is the mathematics department chair, a learning team facilitator and union steward.

Kelly Yang Wins Student Writing Award

SPPS Online High School student Kelly Yang recently placed fifth in the BestPrep 2023 Educational Forum Student Spotlight Competition. The competition was created to broaden awareness of national and global issues affecting our community through a thought-provoking discussion.

Duane Dutrieuille, Principal of Hazel Park Preparatory Academy

Duane Dutrieuille is a dedicated community leader, racial equity champion and principal of Hazel Park Preparatory Academy, a PreK-8 International Baccalaureate program on the East Side of St. Paul. He is one of five Black male principals in SPPS.

Mwene Kajunju: Alum Paints Marny Xiong Memorial Mural

Mural artist Mwene "MK" Kajunju was chosen by Marny Xiong's family to paint a mural of the late School Board member who died from COVID-19 in 2020. The mural serves as a memorial to her life and lasting impact on the entire Saint Paul Public Schools community.

Alex Le: Como Student Awarded JROTC Legion of Valor Bronze Cross

Alex Le is being inducted into an elite club. The Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadet will receive the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross award.

Ramón Lozano: Bilingual EA at Johnson Senior Is Beloved by All

Mr. Lozano is a longtime bilingual educational assistant at Johnson Senior High School. He has worked for SPPS for 38 years and is beloved by students and colleagues alike. Here is his story as well as the stories of other proud Hispanic and Latinx staff in SPPS.