Wayzata Peer Coach Chosen as Next Tanglen Principal

Hopkins Public Schools selected a Wayzata peer coach and elementary teacher as Tanglen Elementary School’s next principal, the district announced Tuesday afternoon.

Jim Hebeisen will succeed current Tanglen Principal Gail Lewis Miller—who is retiring after 18 years with the Hopkins District, nine of those years spent in her current role.

Hebeisen was with the Wayzata school district for 22 years. He served on Wayzata’s one-to-one technology committee and laid the foundation for the district’s iPad rollout, according to the Hopkins release.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Hebeisen into the Hopkins community," a news release quoted Assistant Superintendent Nik Lightfoot. "He brings with him considerable instructional training and expertise, and works to build strong rapport and relationships with staff, students, and the larger community."

Hebeisen received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction from St. Cloud State University. He received a doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota in education police and administration.

He has a wife, Sue, and three boys—Adam, 17, Ian, 15, and Alex, 10.

"I am very excited to be the next principal of Tanglen Elementary," the release quoted Hebeisen. "It is a school with much to be proud of, and I look forward to working collaboratively with families to make it an even better place to work, learn, and grow."