The Washington Post
19 area principals receive Post's Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards
By Christy Goodman
Friday, April 30, 2010
One principal visits each incoming student at home. Another has inspired students with special needs to apply for college. Yet another filled her school with love and made her teachers feel like superheroes.
Nineteen of the region's top educators, one from each area school system, were honored Wednesday night with The Washington Post's Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards by Donald E. Graham, chairman of The Washington Post Co.
Calling the award-winning principals "our life's blood," Graham said, "They are what makes our schools a successful place."
"The outpouring of love in the nomination packages for each of you . . . is more than I can convey," Graham said at the ceremony at The Post's main building.
John Brewer of Dominion High School in Loudoun County has visited more than 5,000 students at home. The work of Susan J. Johnson of Commonwealth Academy, a private school in Alexandria, to encourage her students with learning disabilities to succeed is a miracle, said one parent. A letter nominating Patricia Crain de Galarce of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in the District thanked her for the "love you brought to our school."
The Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards were established in 1986. Each principal is chosen by his or her school system based on nominations from teachers, parents, students and colleagues.
Other winners and their schools and systems:
Cynthia D. Baker, General Smallwood Middle School, Charles County; Ruth Barnes, Neval H. Thomas Elementary School, the District; Eric Brent, Forest Park High School, Prince William County; Linda Stith Clark, J.G. Brumfield Elementary School, Fauquier County; and Jonathan Davis, Bollman Bridge Elementary School, Howard County.
Also, Lynne Evans, Eastport Elementary School, Anne Arundel County; Justin FitzGerald, Bond Mill Elementary School, Prince George's County; August Frattali, Rachel Carson Middle School, Fairfax County; Donna L. House, Barstow Elementary School, Calvert County; Sandra M. Kerner, Ridge Elementary School, St. Mary's County; Lisa L. Martin, Colonial Forge High School, Stafford County; Eric L. Minus, Francis Scott Key Middle School, Montgomery County; Kristi M. Mitchell, Brunswick High School, Frederick County; Sharon G. Monde, Jefferson Middle School, Arlington County; Melissa Saunders, Grace E. Metz Middle School, Manassas; and James H. Wilson, Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home School, Alexandria.