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Why School Pro K12 · Cold Spring, Minnesota

Stronger leaders.
Stronger schools.

School Pro K12 was built around a simple idea: schools should have one partner they can call when they need to find a leader, develop their team, or plan for who comes next. We bring executive search, professional learning, and succession planning together so school leaders and boards can tackle today’s needs while building leadership for the future.

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Brushed nickel schoolhouse, open book, and rising steps linked by a blue path on a strategy board

01 / Meet the founder

From the classroom
to the boardroom.

Eric Skanson standing beside a tree

I started as a public school teacher and coach, became an elementary principal, and now serve as Executive Director of STRIDE Academy in St. Cloud. I’ve learned that the person you bring onto a team can change what that team believes it can do.

That’s why I started School Pro K12 in Cold Spring. When you’re hiring a leader, planning professional development, or figuring out who’s ready to step up next, you deserve a partner who understands the decision you’re making and the people it affects.

— Eric Skanson, Ed.D.

2002Began teaching in the Buffalo–Montrose school district.
2007–08Took on his first principal role at Renville County West Elementary.
2008Became principal of Cold Spring Elementary in ROCORI Public Schools.
2015Cold Spring Elementary earned Minnesota School of Excellence recognition during his tenure.
2016Earned an Ed.D. at the University of Minnesota, studying collaboration for school improvement.
2019Served as MESPA president and represented Minnesota as a National Distinguished Principal.
2022Became Executive Director of STRIDE Academy in St. Cloud.
2023Founded School Pro K12 in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
School Pro K12 founder bio cover featuring Eric Skanson’s studio portrait
From the School Pro founder bio

02 / Beyond the résumé

What Eric brings
into the room.

Eric’s work spans literacy, school culture, and organizational change. He’s taught aspiring leaders at Bethel University and St. Cloud State University and has presented on collaboration, leading change, and helping families navigate social media.

Education and credentials
  • University of Minnesota · Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Policy Development
  • University of Minnesota · K–12 administrative and superintendent licensure
  • Hamline University · M.A. in Education
  • Valley City State University · B.S. in Education

03 / How we show up

Positive. Kind. Supportive.

PKS is Eric’s personal motto. Here’s how it shows up in the work.

Positive

Start with what your school does well and build from there.

Kind

Listen closely and be candid with care, especially when the decisions are hard.

Supportive

Make the introduction, help you think through the options, and leave you with a next step you can use.

Your next move starts here

What are you working on?

Whether you’re planning a leadership search, looking for a speaker, or thinking ahead about succession, let’s talk through where to start.

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