St. Francis Area Schools Superintendent Karsten Anderson has announced the hiring of Jamie Carpenter as the next principal at Cedar Creek Elementary School (CCES). She begins her role as principal on Tuesday, July 29.
“We are excited about Jamie Carpenter's hire as the CCES Principal,” Anderson said. “Her experience and connections with the community will benefit students, staff, and district.”
“Having lived in the district for the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to see the positive impact Cedar Creek Elementary has on its students—especially through the experiences of my two sons who have attended the school,” Carpenter said. “I’ve been consistently impressed by the passion and dedication of the educators here, and I felt inspired to contribute to that same mission.”
Carpenter brings 18 years of experience in education to CCES with the last three years serving as an assistant principal at Milaca High School (MHS).
“I’m most excited about the opportunity to contribute to the early stages of a child’s educational journey,” Carpenter said. “Having spent the majority of my career at the secondary level, I’ve seen how students often come with pre-formed perceptions about school. At CCES, I look forward to helping shape those perceptions early—instilling a love of learning, resilience, and self-belief from the very beginning.”
At MHS her duties included oversight of student discipline and attendance; supervision of student activities for safety and discipline; and she served as the chair of the Student Assistance Team. Carpenter supervised, directed and evaluated instructional and support staff. She also helped oversee daily operations, curriculum programs and the annual budget for the high school.
“Professionally, this role allows me to bring my skills and experience to a school community I genuinely admire,” Carpenter said. “Additionally, after working in Milaca, Minn., where extended travel and demanding duties often limited my time with family, I was drawn to the opportunity Cedar Creek Elementary offers for a healthier work-life balance. It’s a unique combination of professional fulfillment and personal alignment that made this position especially appealing.”
Prior to her move to administration, Carpenter spent 15 years as a special education teacher at Chisago Lakes High School. She designed and implemented curriculum utilizing alternative instructional models; developed Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Evaluation Summary Reports to assess student needs; and established policies and procedures for safe and secure learning environments.
“My own path in education required hard work and perseverance, and I know firsthand the value of having supportive educators who believe in you,” Carpenter said.”That encouragement was instrumental in helping me reach where I am today. I’m excited to be part of a team that builds that kind of foundation for every child—one that ensures they feel valued, inspired, and excited about learning. Education is transformative, and every child deserves to experience it in a meaningful, positive way.”
The selection process included a review of applications by three administrators, a first-round interview with many CCES staff members, and a second-round interview by District Cabinet members.
“As a leader, I strive to be approachable, compassionate, and collaborative,” Carpenter said. “I believe in listening first, leading with empathy, and building relationships rooted in trust. Every student deserves high expectations—and it’s our responsibility to equip them with the tools and support to reach those goals. Together, we can create a space where both students and staff feel safe, valued, and inspired to grow.”