Molly Raske, Principal

Molly Raske serves as Principal of Nisswa Elementary, where she leads with a clear focus on relationships, high expectations, and an unwavering commitment to student success. A community-centered leader and strategic connector, Molly designs and sustains a school experience grounded in strong relationships, enriched opportunities, and research-aligned practices guided by skilled educators who know each learner deeply and respond with intentionality, expertise, and care. Her leadership reflects a belief that when students are truly known, instruction becomes responsive, and every learner is positioned to grow, achieve, and thrive.

Nisswa Elementary serves approximately 360 students from preschool through grade 5 and is intentionally structured to ensure each learner is known not only as a student, but as an individual. Under Molly’s leadership, Nisswa Elementary advances a clear and compelling vision as a welcoming, community-minded, safe, and supportive learning environment where students are empowered to think critically, develop strong interpersonal and self-management skills, and demonstrate grit while achieving high levels of growth. This vision is operationalized through a student-centered approach that adapts to meet the needs of every learner, supported by responsive instruction, aligned systems, and a shared commitment across colleagues and community.

Molly leads with a systems-oriented approach that remains firmly grounded in the individual learner, ensuring coherence, continuous improvement, and high-quality instruction across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports. She is a researcher and continuous learner who uses data-informed decision making to ensure students are demonstrating growth and to guide instructional practice at every level. She is known for cultivating strong relational trust, fostering collective efficacy, and leading collaborative teams focused on improving student outcomes through shared ownership and aligned instructional practice. A visible and hands-on leader, Molly is deeply embedded in the daily life of the school, consistently present in classrooms and throughout the building, building authentic connections and modeling the responsive, student-centered culture she works to sustain.

With over 23 years in education and 15 years as an elementary principal, including 13 years at Nisswa, Molly brings experience across the full educational continuum, from early learning through middle school. Her professional background includes first-grade instruction, family education programming, and middle-level English Language Arts at grades 7 and 8. She holds licensure as a Superintendent, K–12 Principal, and K–8 teacher with an English Language Arts endorsement, reflecting both breadth and depth of expertise.

Molly’s leadership is further strengthened through a deep commitment to community outreach and relationship-building, ensuring strong partnerships that extend learning beyond the school day and reinforce a shared responsibility for student success. She leads with purpose, heart, and an unwavering belief in what is possible for every learner who enters Nisswa Elementary.

Contact Information

218-961-6862

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