Principal's Message
The 2019-2020 school year is underway and I am so excited to be back at MPHS!
I was raised 40 miles NE of Mobridge, in the little community of Herreid, SD. Growing up, you played outside without worry, ran through your neighbor's yard, and knew all of the phone numbers and birthdays of your classmates and close friends. School was the hub for our academic, social, and athletic lives. Our teachers balanced fun with learning, encouraged us to be leaders, and provided a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to learn. School spirit and traditions were enthusiastically celebrated--everyone knew the school song and proudly wore their mascot and school colors. I have always loved the sounds, sights, and smells of school and I feel fortunate to have had such great memories of a place where so much time was spent during the most influential time of my life.
After graduating from Herreid High School in 1997, I went on to Northern State University completing my bachelor's degree in elementary education in 2001. I was active in intercollegiate sports competing in basketball, cross country, and track & field and I also served as a SAM (Student Athlete Mentor) for three years and was an active member and Minister of Hospitality of the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center.
My first job in education landed me in Warner, SD for four years as the Class Size Reduction teacher focusing on math and reading for K-5 students. I also taught elementary and middle school PE classes, elementary art, and I coached middle school basketball, cheerleading, and high school track & field.
In 2006, I moved back home and taught in the Herreid Elementary and Middle School and coached varsity track and junior high basketball for one year before landing an opportunity with Northwest Area Schools as an Education Specialist. I spent the next eight years serving 21 school districts in the northwest and north central part of South Dakota. This position gave me invaluable insight and experience in all things education inside the walls of South Dakota school districts. Working closely with the South Dakota Department of Education, Education Specialists are charged with the responsibility to deliver state initiatives with the highest fidelity in all corners of our state, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I had to serve all of our state's awesome educators!
During my tenure with Northwest Area Schools, I completed my Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, which would eventually open more doors for me in the world of education. In 2016 my education brought me to Napoleon, ND where I served as the MS/HS principal for approximately 125 great kids and an awesome staff of dedicated educators. I commuted 120 miles a day for 2 years....and I listened to a lot of books! Working in Napoleon gave me two great years of experience working in a single school district day in and day out. I learned on the fly that there are a lot of moving parts in a school system every--single--day. It was equally challenging and rewarding.
I am beginning my 17th year in education and my 4th year as a high school principal. My impressions of our students and staff have been very positive. I am looking forward to the year ahead, continuing to develop positive relationships with my students, and supporting and developing my very talented teaching staff.
I like to cook, clean, and do laundry (I would have made the perfect wife of the 1950's). In my free time, I enjoy being outside running, walking, biking, swimming, and gardening. I enjoy reading, watching movies, and playing games with family and friends. My husband Clayton Randall is a business, computer, PE, and building trades teacher in Herreid, SD and he coaches Herreid-Selby Area Wolverine Football and Boys' Basketball. He also owns and operates Randall Construction seasonally. Our son Clayton William II (18) is a senior at Herreid High School and participates in football, basketball, and track & field. Our daughter Remi (3) is busy running after her brother and being his best cheerleader. We are expecting our third baby in April 2020 and are excited to add to our family. Lastly, we are all pretty crazy about our dog Alex Rudiger Randall (5).
Proud to be a Mobridge-Pollock Tiger!
Mrs. Randall
