Former Edina Educator Named Normandale Principal

A former member of the Edina Public Schools family is coming home early next year, as Gerry Lee Lukaska will take over as principal of beginning January 30, 2012.

Lukaska previously served as dean of students at from 2002-05 and taught third grade at Normandale from 1994-2001. As she will not take over as principal until January 2012, Director of Immersion Programs Isabelle Punchard will serve as interim leader of the school in place of outgoing Principal John Devine.

“Gerry Lukaska brings a wealth of experience and expertise in leadership and in immersion programming to Normandale Elementary,” said Superintendent Ric Dressen.  “I feel that the leadership transition with Isabelle Punchard serving in the interim position and Gerry engaging at key points until she begins full time, will be seamless given how their educational talents complement each other.  They will be working together throughout the coming year.”

Lukaska received a B.A. in Education from Augsburg College and an M.A. in Literacy from Hamline Unversity. She recently worked as principal of Park Spanish Immersion School in St. Louis Park and has also served in various capacities at Adademie Lafayette, a K-8 French Immersion Charter School in Kansas City, MO.

Lukaska has participated in a number of professional development workshops related to immersion best practices and is a sitting member on the Minnesota Advocates for Immersion Network's Board of Directors.

The Edina School Board will officially approve Lukaska's contract at its June 20 regular meeting.