District Administration — St. Paul City School

ben magras, executive director

bmagras@spcsmn.org | 651-225-9177 x2000

Ben began as the Executive Director in July 2024. He has over two decades of experience as a principal, district leader, and leadership coach for principals at both charter and traditional schools.

Ensuring that each student has the opportunity to achieve their dreams and contribute positively to our community is central to Ben’s work as an educational leader. He is deeply committed to creating an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Beyond his professional life, he lives in Minneapolis and is married with two kids. He enjoys running, spending time outdoors, coaching baseball and going to dance competitions.

He is excited to collaborate with the entire St. Paul City School community to build upon the strengths of our school and to continue to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students.

College & Degree(s): University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, B.A. in Psychology University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S.W. Social Work University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.A. Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis

Licenses: School Social Worker K-12 Principal Special Education Director Superintendent

Leslie Allred, Associate director

lallred@spcsmn.org | 651-225-9177 x4000

Leslie developed a passion for working with people from a young age and has pursued opportunities to serve youth, families, and the community through her education, career path, and volunteering over the last 20 years. Before joining the district in 2015 she had experience working in settings, including the Job Corps program, healthcare and health education, trauma counseling, and community programs for youth. Leslie is passionate about social justice and serving students and families with a holistic approach. In her free time, Leslie loves being outdoors with her family, playing board games, traveling, crafts, and cooking.

College & Degree(s): University of Wisconsin, Madison, B.A. in Psychology University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, M.S.W. Social Work
Licensures: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Licensed School Social Worker (LSSW) MN Board of Social Work Clinical Licensure Supervisor

dr. Justin Tiarks, Primary School Principal

jtiarks@spcsmn.org | 651-925-3009

Justin has been at St. Paul City School since 2008. Before becoming Principal, he began his tenure at SPCS serving as a 5th Grade teacher for four years before transitioning to Assistant Principal for two years. Prior to working at SPCS, Justin taught 4th and 5th grade in Des Moines, Iowa and also worked at a homeless shelter in Chicago. In addition to serving as Principal, Justin is an adjunct instructor at Concordia University in the MA in Educational Leadership program.

Justin enjoys spending time with his family and particularly enjoys seeing his his son and daughter (both students at SPCS) in the hallways each day. He plays guitar, loves Iowa Hawkeye football, and gets in a game of racquetball whenever he has the chance. As both a leader and a parent at SPCS, Justin believes deeply in the work that happens here each day.

College and Degree(s):
Central College, B.A. Elementary Education
Concordia University, M.A. Educational Leadership
Concordia University, EdS K-12 Principal
Licensure: K-12 Principal Concordia University, Ed.D. - Doctorate in Educational Leadership

Rashad watkins, Middle school principal

rwatkins@spcsmn.org | 651-225-9177 x2280

RaShad was born and grew up in Michigan. He moved to Minnesota in 1992 and attended Harding High School in St. Paul. He has been in education for 23 in a multitude of roles. RaShad started his work in St. Paul City School as the Dean of Students for the High School. He served as the Athletic Director and is now the Middle School Principal.

In his free time, RaShad enjoys sitting on the couch and watching the University of Michigan football. He also enjoys traveling to new and old places and spending quality time with family.

College and Degree(s): North Iowa Community College, AAS Southern New Hampshire University, BS Sports Management

ERIC FERGEN, special education director

efergen@spcsmn.org | 651-225-9177 x4005

Eric grew up here in St. Paul and joined the St. Paul City School community in 2017 as a special education teacher at River's Edge Academy. Prior to this, Eric was an outdoors educator with Outward Bound and a special education teacher in Queens, NY. He previously served on the board of St. Paul City School as a teacher representative. In his role as Special Education Director, Eric hopes to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment for all students through purposeful programming and collaborative leadership. He enjoys climbing, reading, hiking and coffee.

College & Degree(s): Fordham University, B.A. in Latin American Studies Long Island University-Brooklyn, M.A. in Special Education University of Minnesota, Licensure Program for Director of Special Education
Licensures: K-12 LD and Academic and Behavioral Strategist Special Education Director of Special Education

Emmanuel Donaby, Director of Community education

edonaby@spcsmn.org | 651-225-9177

Emmanuel Donaby was born and raised in St. Paul, MN in the Rondo community. He has dedicated over 20 years of his career to working with youth. He is heavily involved in the St. Paul community working with youth, young adults and community programs. He is a graduate from Concordia University-St. Paul where he obtained a BA in General Studies in Elementary Education and also has an AAS degree in Child Development from St. Paul College. He has also been involved with The Children's Defense Fund, Freedom Schools since 1999 to the present. He has done extensive work with the organization both locally and nationally. From 2012-21 he worked for the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center of the Science Museum of Minnesota where he was the Director of the STEM Freedom School Program.

College and Degree(s):
St. Paul College, AAS Child Development
Concordia University–St. Paul, B.A. General Studies in Elementary Education Leadership in Education M Ed PK-12 Administration Post Baccalaureate Certificate (Administrative Licensure for Director of Community Ed license)

Angela Imdieke, director of teaching

aimdieke@spcsmn.org | 651-925-3012

Angela started her journey in education 21 years ago as a teacher in southern Texas. Upon moving back to Minnesota, Angela joined the SPCS team. She held the roles of 5th & 6th grade teacher at SPCS before becoming a literacy coach and curriculum coordinator. She continued training on supporting English Language students and developing students into lifelong readers which lead to her former role as Director of Teaching and Learning and now her current role as Primary School Assistant Principal. Angela is a passionate about helping all students succeed!

In her free time, Angela likes exploring new places near and far, reading mysteries and hiking by rivers and lakes. She also enjoys time with her family playing cribbage and board games.

College and Degree(s):
College of St. Benedict, B.A. Elementary Education
Hamline University, M.A. Master of Education

Esteban Rodriguez-Hefty, Director of Operations

erodriguez@spcsmn.org | 651-225-9177 x2010

Esteban supports students, staff, and families throughout the St. Paul City School District. After several years at River’s Edge Academy, his role expanded to include district-wide operations. He's excited to be contributing to many aspects of district operations, whether that's as big as helping build systems to support teaching and learning, or as simple as helping a student sign up for class.

In his free time, he enjoys playing/watching team sports, mountain biking and downhill skiing.

College and Degree(s):
Luther College, B.A. Business Management