One Morning. Many Perspectives. One Madison.
A Principal Experience 2026
On Thursday, October 29, the Madison Public Schools Foundation hosted A Principal Experience, a signature event that connects community and business leaders with school principals for a firsthand look at leadership in action. During National Principals Month and the Foundation’s 25th anniversary year, 77 Principal Partners spent the morning shadowing MMSD principals at 50 schools.
The day concluded with a luncheon at TruStage, the event’s host and presenting sponsor, featuring remarks from MMSD Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard, Chris Ehlers of Veridian Homes, and Foundation President Mo Cheeks, along with table conversations about pride and possibility in Madison’s public schools.
An Inside Look into Madison’s Public Schools
Principal Partners spent the morning alongside their host principals at schools across the Madison Metropolitan School District, then traveled with their host principals to TruStage for lunch. Students participated in many of the visits:
- Three fifth graders guided a tour at Leopold Elementary.
- La Follette High School students and staff led a building tour together.
- A student panel at Gillespie Middle School shared their experiences and hopes for the future.
- Whitehorse Middle School Principal Partners held a Q&A with members of the student council, and students participating in Future City, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID).
Other Principal Partners spent the morning the way a principal does: greeting students at the door, reading to classrooms, supporting students and staff, and working recess and lunch duty.
“I experienced a student/staff connection that gave me hope for the next generations and the future,” said Sara Shoys of Raven Software, who spent the morning at La Follette.
Kate Austin Stanford of TruStage spent her morning at Hamilton Middle School, one of TruStage’s four Adopt-a-School partner schools.
This year also included Superintendents for a Day. Dr. Joe Gothard hosted two state leaders, Department of Administration Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld and Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Wendy Baumann, for a morning of visits: Marquette Elementary with Principal Becky Peterson, Lori Mann Carey Elementary with Principal Percy Brown, Jr., and the Acacia Ridge site, before joining the luncheon at TruStage. Secretary Blumenfeld described “warm, empathetic environments, innovation in serving our children and adaptability to deal with challenges.”
A Luncheon of Pride and Possibility
After the school visits, Principal Partners, host principals, and community guests gathered at TruStage for lunch, with each principal seated alongside their own Principal Partner.
Jason Ilstrup, President of Downtown Madison, Inc., served as Master of Ceremonies. He recognized the elected officials, MMSD Board of Education members, and district leaders in attendance and thanked host principals during National Principals Month.
Kate Austin Stanford, President of TruStage Foundation, welcomed guests to the Lighthouse on behalf of the event’s host and presenting sponsor. TruStage has sponsored A Principal Experience since it began in 2004 and supports four Adopt-a-School partnerships with Anana, Badger Rock, Hamilton, and Muir.
Over lunch, each table took up two questions. First, pride: what stayed with you from the morning, and what were principals proud to show? Then possibility: what could become possible if the community showed up alongside our schools?
When Jason opened the floor for reflection and sharing, the dedication of school staff came up again and again. Partners described educators who wear many hats and know their students and families by name. Principals shared:
- the belonging they build, summed up in Midvale Elementary’s motto: “I belong, you belong, we belong”
- the rigor and high expectations in their classrooms
The ideas about possibility were concrete: the need for mentors and tutors, guest speakers, and field trips, and aligning what schools need with what partners have to offer. As Nou Vang-Vue, principal of Lake View Elementary, put it: “Stay curious, show up and help out. Let’s start telling positive stories and change the narrative.”
Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership
Foundation Board Chair Michelle Slawny thanked TruStage and shared her personal connection to MMSD and the Madison Public Schools Foundation.
Chris Ehlers, President of Veridian Homes, reflected on the partnership between Veridian and MMSD and its value in developing Madison together.
Looking Forward: Finding Your Place
MMSD Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard spoke about what our schools need to thrive: their strengths, their realities and the partnership between the district and the Foundation.
In his first A Principal Experience as Foundation President, Mo Cheeks reflected on what he heard in the room and described the Foundation’s role for 25 years: connecting community relationships and resources to Madison’s public schools. He invited organizations to become Adopt-a-School partners and individuals to join 250 for the 25th as donors.
Together for Madison’s Future
Participants left with a firsthand view of what Madison’s schools do well and a clear sense of where they fit. “They are filled with caring, passionate people who want our young people to thrive but need our support to make that happen,” said Brian Squire of the Lussier Community Education Center. The Foundation team is following up with every guest to turn the ideas and connections from the day into action.
The Madison Public Schools Foundation thanks the host principals, Principal Partners, table hosts, TruStage and the Madison Metropolitan School District for making this year’s event possible.
To learn about how you can engage with our schools, teachers and students, contact Mary Bartzen, Community Partnerships Director, at mbartzen@SchoolsMakeMadison.org.
