Sheila Beckner

Over 30 years ago a chance teaching interview brought Sheila Beckner to Red Wing. That chance interview lead to a thirty year career with Red Wing Public Schools, serving as a teacher, director and most recently a school principal. Throughout her leadership career Sheila was passionate about building relationships, developing safe and supportive school cultures, and sparking innovative educational practices.

Sheila’s connection to the Jones Family Foundation started over twenty years ago when they readily funded an inventive project for a school that she served as the principal. From that first partnership, it become clear to Sheila that the Foundation was a steadfast voice encouraging educators to think beyond, explore widely and expansively create. Throughout her career, Sheila witnessed firsthand the reach of the Foundation as learning opportunities continually flourished and broadened for students and teachers in Red Wing. 

Sheila earned her Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls and her Educational Specialist Degree from St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN. She lives in Red Wing with her husband Bruce. They have two boys Meyer, a recent University of Minnesota graduate and Asa, a student at Minnesota State University Mankato. Sheila is a registered yoga instructor and teaches at the Red Wing YMCA. Sheila has served on the Foundation Board since 2020.

“It is the highest honor for me to be part of a foundation that has inspired educators to take risks and dream big, enabled children to learn in challenging and innovative ways and strengthened the entire educational system, and in turn our community. I look forward to supporting the Foundation as we focus on the vitality of our community we hold so dear.”