Hopkins Public Schools is proud to announce that Sabrina Schmidtke has been selected as the next principal of Alice Smith Elementary School. Schmidtke brings more than a decade of experience in K-12 education and a deep passion for equity-driven leadership, strong communication, and building inclusive school communities.
Most recently, Schmidtke has served as assistant administrator at Rosemount Elementary in ISD 196, where she led efforts to improve school climate, elevate academic achievement, and increase collaboration across teams. Under her leadership, the school saw a 29% increase in math and literacy scores. She has also held roles as a gifted education specialist and instructional coach, where she championed equitable access to advanced learning opportunities and spearheaded bias-aware evaluation practices.
“Sabrina is a leader whose values and vision deeply align with Hopkins,” said Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools. “Her ability to build trust, lead with reflection, and center equity in every decision makes her an ideal fit for the Alice Smith community. We are thrilled to welcome her into this role.”
Schmidtke's career has included classroom teaching, district-level coaching, and school-wide administration. She began her education career teaching elementary students abroad in several countries, most notably for three years in Colombia, before returning to Minnesota, where she held educator roles in Prior Lake, Lakeville, and Rosemount. Her leadership has consistently focused on creating inclusive, academically rigorous environments where all students thrive.
“I believe equity begins with intentional action,” said Schmidtke. “At Alice Smith, I am committed to building a school community where every student and staff member feels valued, heard, and supported to grow.”
Schmidtke holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Luther College, a Master of Education in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, and an Educational Specialist degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also holds a K–12 principal license.
Schmidtke will begin her role as principal of Alice Smith Elementary on July 1, 2025.