Q&A: New Birchview Elementary Principal Jason Wenschlag

While Jason Wenschlag, 40, may be new to the Wayzata School District, the Minnesota native isn’t new to the Twin Cities. The new Birchview Elementary School principal grew up and still lives in south Minneapolis. In fact, he lives with wife Amy Lynn across the street from the house he grew up in. Plymouth Patch recently caught up Wenschlag to talk with him about his new position.

Plymouth Patch: What is your background in education and where have you worked?

Wenschlag: I went to school for business and got my Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State University. When I decided to go into education I got my master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota and a specialist degree in education administration. I worked in the Richfield School District for the past seven years with the most recent couple years as principal at Sheridan Hills Elementary School.  Before that I was a girls’ basketball and softball coach and transitioned into an educational administrator as a dean of students in the Bloomington Public School District.

Plymouth Patch: Why did you go into education and what has influenced you?

Wenschlag: My sister Kristin is a teacher as is my father Roger. It runs in the family. I played basketball in Denmark overseas and when I came back I realized I wanted to work with kids in some capacity and could teach business in high schools and use my business degree in teaching. I got into education because I personally love learning and helping young kids make decisions. I enjoyed coaching them as a college and professional basketball player. I always enjoyed helping youth in a community.

Plymouth Patch: Why did you decide to come to Birchview in Plymouth and work in the Wayzata School District?

Wenschlag: There were things that attracted me to the Wayzata School District like strong leadership. Birchview is a bigger school with more students and staff so I had that challenging opportunity to pursue too. I like growing and thought I would be able to grow both personally and professionally from the move and with the district’s size. Also the district’s commitment to the entire community and its resources were really attractive to me. This is a thriving community with a strong commitment from schools to the public. So many people reach out as partners in this district. This is was a unique opportunity and the only job I applied for and pursued. I loved being principal at Sheridan Hills. I was not looking to leave Richfield.

Plymouth Patch: What are you working on now and what challenges have you faced since officially starting on July 1 as Birchview principal?

Wenschlag: The biggest challenge for me right now is making sure people get to know me and I get to know the staff here as we get set for a new school year. With some spacing issues in classrooms and that I am looking at all the nuts and bolts principals work on in preparation for the fall. Getting to know the system of the district, the parents, kids and teachers will take some time. I am learning about Birchview from their perspectives and working on scheduling and staffing issues.

Plymouth Patch: What are you looking forward to with Birchview and what else is new at the school this fall?

Wenschlag: We are figuring out some positions to be filled as we have an additional section of first grade this year and a couple of new teachers in the building. I am looking forward to meeting the kids, seeing how they learn in the classroom, how teachers teach and how people lead in the building. I want to see leadership from all. I want to see how things work, that will be my priority when the new school year starts. When a school gets a new principal, especially after having a strong leading principal like Dr. Koch, that’s a big adjustment for everyone and I know that as I get to know others they will be getting to know me, my leadership style and my work.

The public can get a chance to meet and get to know Wenschlag at the annual open house and picnic put on by the school’s Parent-Teacher Association. This year it is at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31. The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 6.