From the Desk of Principal McDonough August 19, 2024
Greetings Rush City Community!

My name is Coleman McDonough and I couldn’t be more excited to be your high school principal and a Tiger! As you will learn, one of my most fundamental tenets is a focus on relationships. Genuine and authentic relationships allow us the best opportunities to succeed in all facets of life. 

I was born and raised in St. Paul, MN. I grew up on the West End and attended St. Francis de Sales catholic grade school, Cretin High School, and then St. John’s University. Throughout my formative years, I was blessed to have had wonderful parents who provided for me a foundation of values that have shaped my character and given me a strong sense of what I believe is truly important: faith, family, compassion, empathy, a strong work ethic and a sense of understanding that we are all a part of something greater than ourselves.

I come to you as a professional educator entering my thirtieth year. I spent my first 15 years in Saint Paul Public Schools as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. The following 14 years were spent in North Branch Area Schools serving as the high school principal for 12 years and as the Area Learning Center and Distance Learning Academy principal for two years. Throughout that time, I have experienced many successes and yes, a few failures as well. I am passionate about students, the development of the whole child, and creating a healthy organizational culture that enhances the experience of all members of our school community.

As a father of three, I raised my children with the understanding of the value of being a good person, working hard to ensure they had few regrets, and being a servant to others. At present, my oldest daughter is a first-grade teacher, my middle daughter is an esthetician, and my son is an Airman in the Air Force serving in Okinawa, Japan. I am so proud of them.

As I come to serve the Rush City community I intend to provide for our students, staff, and families a leader that will guide, support, encourage, and create the conditions for all to achieve their potential. I maintain high expectations of myself and will also set high expectations for our school community. What has been done, is done, what has yet to come is up to all of us. I am excited to immerse myself in the Rush City community and help our high school, our school district and the community achieve at the highest levels. Thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Sincerely,

Mr. McDonough
Photo Credit: Studio Nine Portraits