Assistant Principal, Moorhead Area Public Schools
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: My name is Lauren Knutson, and I am the Assistant Principal at Robert Asp Elementary in Moorhead. I grew up in Bagley, MN, and earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at Concordia College—Roll Cobbs! I also hold a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University Moorhead. After 13 years in education—nine in the classroom and four in administration—I view my role as a vital part of the support system it takes to raise and educate a child. I am driven by the connections I build with students, families, and staff, and nothing brings me more pride than following my former students’ successes as they reach new milestones.
Outside of school, I have been married to my husband, Luke, for nearly 13 years. Our history runs deep—we have actually known each other since our daycare days! Luke is my biggest cheerleader and a true lifelong learner; he constantly models personal growth and encourages me to keep pursuing my own dreams. Watching him navigate a busy schedule with such grace serves as a daily inspiration for how I approach both my career and our life together.
We stay extra busy chasing after our two-year-old daughter, Mya, whose smile and laugh can truly fill a room. She is a bundle of joy who loves to read, dance, swim, and play with friends. When we aren’t at home, you can usually find our family at the lake or out hiking and biking. While life is certainly a whirlwind, we’ve learned to truly value the quiet, intentional moments in between.
Q: What community issue do you feel deserves more attention?
A: When a child misses more than 10% of their classroom days, they are considered chronically absent. Last year, almost a quarter of the students in my school met this metric. This is a significant community challenge that deserves more urgent attention because education has the power to change the trajectory of a person’s life. For this transformation to happen, students first have to be present.
In a K-4 elementary setting, attendance is the foundation of everything we do. These early years are when students develop fundamental literacy and math skills; if a child misses these building blocks, the gap only widens as they grow. Beyond academics, school is where children learn social-emotional regulation and build lifelong friendships.
I have found a true passion for this work through my involvement with our District Attendance Team and our ASP HUGS Team. We focus on partnership, working directly with families to identify and remove the specific barriers—whether they are transportation, health, or navigating home-life obstacles—that keep students from the classroom.
