Dr. Meg Cavalier

Hello!

I’m Dr. Meg

It’s lovely to meet you!

Leadership is challenging. Now more than ever. You face solving challenges with limited resources every day. This may include staffing shortages, recruitment, or complex student needs. Leaders are often spread thin and wear several hats. A wise colleague once told me leaders could work twenty-four hours a day and still not be done. You don’t have to work in a silo. I have empathy and can support!

I am energized serving as a leadership mentor or thought partner, project manager, and facilitator. My passion revolves around leadership development, effective school operation, innovative school design, fostering healthy culture and community in schools, and experiential education, especially outdoor education.

I’ve had the incredible opportunity to start a school from day one, merge two charter schools, and build a new school home for 600 students in St. Paul. What an honor! My teaching and leading experiences include charter, traditional districts, and private schools. I have experience as an Interpretive Naturalist at the Minnesota Zoo, as well as a Science and Special Education teacher and youth pastor. I am humbled to have led a school that received the US Department of Education Green Ribbon School Award in 2018. I have presented at numerous local, state, and national conferences.

Education & Experience

Bethel University

EdD Education Administration

MA K-12 Education

BA Elementary and Science Education

School Leader

Two decades as a public and private school leader

Licensed Superintendent, Principal, and Teacher

Consultant

Leadership Mentor, Project Manager, and Facilitator

Leadership Thought Partner

Facilitator

Project

Manager

Clients

Testimonials

Dr. Meg has become an essential partner for me, working with me to design powerful professional development for my faculty, as well as offer advice and strategic insight into making this change happen well. Dr. Meg brings absolute joy and passion to the work. Not only is she an exceptional content expert regarding pedagogy, she is a marvel at administrative practices, successful change management and innovation. She is a complete delight to be around. She is dynamic, brilliant, and wise.

Dr. Julie Winn

Director of Teaching and Learning

Minnehaha Academy

Dr. Meg is one of the most competent and dedicated educational leaders that I have seen in the last decade. She has a moral and ethical foundation that is deep and guides all that she does. I have had the honor to see her impact as she stabilized enrollment, finances, curriculum, and instruction at an urban charter school that continues to thrive.

Dr. Louise Wilson

Education Department Chair Emeritus

Bethel University

Ideas & Stories

I have seen the impact of opening a meeting or gathering with a reading and closing by appreciating individuals. Opening readings and appreciations lay the foundation for community.

Kurt Hahn, the author of the quote to the right, is the founder of Outward Bound. I have had the opportunity to partner with Ouward Bound and lead a school founded with the EL Education model. EL Education builds students’ capacity for three dimensions of high achievement: Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, High-Quality Student Work (EL Education, 2023). My Master’s Thesis and Dissertation focused on EL Education and Outward Bound programs in K-12 school across the country and world.

While on course, Outward Bound instructors use a readings book to share an inspirational quote to frame a conversation. Over the years, I have used this tradition to open staff meetings or time with students. The reading above inspires my approach to leadership. Matt Church shared in his book Rise Up that the role of a leader to create a culture of learning and share new knowledge with those around them. If a leader is not doing this, they are simply managing.

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