Principal Natalie Sawatsky

About Natalie Sawatzky

Sawatzky has 15 years of education experience at Meadowbrook, first serving as a counselor for 11 years and then as assistant principal, a position she has held since 2015. 

“Natalie loves the Meadowbrook community!,” said Stephanie Herrera, director of principal leadership for Hopkins Schools. “She is a courageous leader committed to meeting the needs of every student. She is dedicated to realizing Vision 2031 for all Meadowbrook students, staff, and families.” 

Sawatzky is a servant leader, who keeps students at the center of everything she does. She not only knows the name of every student in the building, she could tell you a fact about each of those students. 

As an assistant principal, she oversaw classroom instruction, planned and developed professional learning for staff and created processes to better utilize data for the benefit of students. She is described as a collaborative leader who is a thoughtful and resourceful problem solver. Sawatzky is deeply committed to Hopkins, and Meadowbrook in particular. For her, the work is a calling. 

“I have always felt that Hopkins is a special place,” Sawatzky said. “However, never before have I felt such alignment with my values and purpose as I do now with Vision 2031 guiding our work. More than ever before, I feel called to engage in the work of creating a new paradigm for education, where all of our children are recognized for their brilliance.” 

Prior to her tenure at Meadowbrook, Sawatzky was a counselor at Mahtomedi Middle School and Roseville Area Middle School. She succeeds Dr. Greta Evans-Becker who retired spring 2020 after serving as the principal of Meadowbrook for 12 years. Sawatzky and her family live in Golden Valley and her children proudly attend Hopkins schools. When she’s not at school, she enjoys reading, learning, and watching her children participate in youth sports.