Michael Lehan

About Michael

Coming from the world of public education, Michael Lehan earned his senior leadership role through an unconventional route. Never having served as a classroom teacher, he completed six years competing in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns when his athletic career ended and he was tapped to become a dean of students and assistant principal for the Osseo Area Schools, the fifth largest school system in Minneapolis serving 25,000 students in three high schools and several dozen elementary and middle schools. He was soon promoted to principal of Osseo Senior High School, where he led the school for five years and was named 2020 Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. During his tenure he guided his high school to its first ranking as one of “The Best High Schools” in the nation by US News and World Report for three consecutive years.

Awards & Recognition

• Minnesota High School Principal of the Year, 2020
• High School Principal of the Year (2019) for the Hennepin Division by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), 2019
• Channel 12 Sports Hall of Fame
• Hopkins HS Hall of Fame
• Classic Lake Conference - Athletic Achievement and Mentorship Award
• Congressional Recognition - Youth in Cleveland
• Triad Advocate of the Year - Adoption Network Cleveland

Speaking Engagements

• University of Minnesota - CEHD Commencement
• Connecting the Dots for Foster Care - National Adoption Day
• Foster Angels of South Texas
• The Bridge for Youth - Legislative Breakfast
• Cleveland Browns Get 2 School Initiative
• Hope & Home
• MASSP Summer Conference

Board Memberships

• The Bridge for Youth
• University of Minnesota Board of Trustees

Adjunct Professor

• Concordia University: Department of Educational Leadership