District 196 Superintendent Mary Kreger today announced that Deerwood Elementary School Principal Jeremy Sorenson has been hired to be the district’s next director of elementary education beginning July 1. He will replace Sally Soliday, who is retiring after 40 years working for District 196, including the last eight years leading the Elementary Education Department. 

Sorenson has been principal of Deerwood Elementary in Eagan for the last six years. Prior to joining District 196, Sorenson was an elementary principal for the Red Wing Public Schools for three years and also had two years of administrative experience with Minneapolis Public Schools as a school improvement specialist and elementary school assistant principal. Sorenson started his career in education as a special education teacher, working for the Hastings Public Schools, District 196 and South Washington County Public Schools for five years before accepting an administrative position in Minneapolis.

“I will miss the students, families and staff of the Deerwood community greatly,” Sorenson said, “but I am equally honored and excited for the opportunity to serve the district as director of elementary education.”

Sorenson has a bachelor of science in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a bachelor of science in education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a master’s in educational leadership from Concordia University, and principal and superintendent’s licensure from Hamline University.