Lifelong Nokomis resident finds new challenge at Minnehaha Academy

Article and photos by LINDSAY GROME

Always know where you come from. It’s a saying we’ve heard time and again and something lifelong Nokomis resident Jason Wenschlag has taken to heart.

“I’ve always wanted to keep home where it is, that’s been a real driving force in my decision making,” says the 45-year-old school administrator. Wenschlag was recently named the new Minnehaha Academy Upper School principal.

Wenschlag grew up in the house across the street from his current home on Minnehaha Pkwy. and 30th Ave. S. His parents still live there, and his sister is just a few blocks away. He’s occupied the home since 1997, where he lives with his wife.

“The block has been my permanent address—with the exception of short stays in Fargo and Denmark—and I don’t see us leaving any time soon,” Wenschlag said.

Standing at 6’11” he’s a second generation graduate of Roosevelt High School and a former professional basketball player in Denmark. While he prefers consistency and stability, in his professional life, he doesn’t shy away from change.

Wenschlag began his career out of North Dakota State as a professional basketball player in Denmark. After a year away, he came back to work for a small human resource company before realizing a calling to teach. He became a business teacher at Bloomington Kennedy while simultaneously coaching basketball and going to the University of Minnesota for his master’s degree. It was at that time he realized he had a calling for leadership.

“I like leading things, supporting people and having hands in a lot of things. I thought if I’m going to stay in education, I want to use a broader set of skills and be a leader, so I went into administration,” he said.

He has worked 18 years in public education, 14 of those in administration. Until earlier this year, he was principal of Richfield Senior High. His new stint at Minnehaha Academy—which he began July 1—is the first non-public and independent school system he’s worked for.

“My biggest issue was investing 18 years in this pension plan and leaving that system. It took some thinking and faith on my part. In independent education you don’t have the long-term financial piece, the ‘golden handcuffs,’” he said, “which is fine with me because we’re not guaranteed tomorrow.”

An active member of River Valley Church in Edina, he says what drew him to Minnehaha Academy was the faith-based component. Established in 1913 on the west bank of the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Academy is a college preparatory school integrating Christian faith and learning for students in preschool through grade twelve.

“For me, that faith component is an interesting piece I want to seek out, learn about, observe, and participate in,” he said. “The opportunities are endless and perhaps the challenges are too. I can’t think of another school in the metro area that shares the same faith as I do with the mission of integrating faith and learning, quality fine arts, athletics, and academics. It does it all. To be a part of that is a real privilege and opportunity to continue to grow in a way I haven’t experienced before.”

In fact, Wenschlag said he wasn’t even looking to leave his post in Richfield. But, when former Minnehaha Upper School principal Nancy Johnson retired earlier this year after more than 30 years as a teacher and administrator at the school, he was open to the possibility.

“I wasn’t looking for just any job. I was in my third year at Richfield and spent eight years there total, so I’ve experienced different transitions. If it wasn’t Minnehaha Academy, I wasn’t going to be leaving Richfield. It’s that unique and special, and I look forward to being a part of that.”

He says he also looks forward to a short commute—just seven minutes if he hits the light on 46th and 46th—and continuing to better integrate his personal and professional lives.

“The fact I’ve lived on 30th Ave. my entire life speaks to my commitment to this area,” he said. “I’ve always tried to work close to home. The integration of my personal and professional lives is really important to me, and as my career has gone on, I’ve realized that even more. The opportunity to work in a small setting like Minnehaha Academy, and have an impact on the staff and students and community, ties to my values of being in South Minneapolis and is a great tie to my personal and professional life.”

And he says it’s that integration—and those deep roots his family has held for generations within the community—that has allowed him to prosper as a leader.

“Leadership at its core is about influencing people. For me, it comes down to character,” he said. “Growing up in this community and having personal satisfaction with family and where I live, both reflect and impact character. Character influences your many facets of leadership. From that respect, my childhood and living in this area and sense of loyalty are a reflection and has impacted my character, which thus impacts how I want to lead.”

And he looks forward to a new opportunity to lead.

“For this neighborhood it’s unique, and it’s a source of pride,” he said. “It’s a great school whether you send your kids there or not—it’s been around for 102 years. To join a school with that kind of tradition, history, and excellence, I’m excited to be a part of that community within the community I live. It’s unique and special.”