Staff Spotlight: Donna Roper

Donna Roper
Donna Roper

With a work history spanning over 25 years in PK-12 public education, and the most recent of them directing assessment, research, evaluation, and continuous improvement activities at Edina Public Schools, many professionals might be looking forward to retirement and relaxation. Not the case with Donna Roper, the new executive director of research, evaluation, assessment and enrollment for St. Cloud Area School District, who is excited to be in the District and making an impact.

Roper has earned her stripes as a change agent. With a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Minnesota (U of M) and a master’s degree from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Roper was part of an international Masters of Public Administration (MPA) Leadership cohort focusing on educational policy and leading change.

She explains, “[As a student,] I worked for a small program at the Institute of Technology – U of M that was charged with increasing the number of severely underrepresented students enrolling in the sciences and engineering. It involved operating an eighth grade math bridge program, a computer camp for ninth graders and a college prep skills program targeting tenth graders, which was designed to prepare kids for the ACT. It confirmed for me that performance on these kinds of tests was significantly impacted by one’s opportunities to learn.”

Roper feels passionately about her career in education.

“I know that loving kids and growing their minds and hearts is the most important job on the planet and working in public education is the place we get to do this … We all have personal stories about the impact education has had on our life journey, and for me, the learning is never done.”

In her current position in District 742, Roper oversees research and assessment as well as enrollment through the Welcome Center, and she hit the ground running as the school year began.

“It’s been fast and furious,” she says, “but it’s exciting to be a part of this important work.”

Roper says she was drawn to the “amazing talent” in the District 742 community and looks forward to partnering to design and implement a districtwide assessment and continuous improvement plan that “increases the agility and responsiveness of our system as we aim to meet a variety of learner needs.”

In her free time, Roper enjoys travel and visiting the BWCA (Boundary Water Canoe Area).

“I love to kayak, canoe, cycle and just hike in nature. In the winter I try to get out and cross-country ski. Aside from these things, I enjoy time with my family and friends and love learning new things.”

St. Cloud Area School District is fortunate that Donna Roper isn’t interested in slowing down any time soon.

Roper and her family, Eric, Nina and Zoe
Roper and her family, Eric, Nina and Zoe