DISTRICT NAMES
TOP PRINCIPAL AND
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
All good schools have a few things in common: excellent teachers, involved parents, students eager to learn - and a very strong school leader. Principals and assistant principals set the tone for their schools and set the standard for others to follow. The ACCLAIM Award was established by the School Board to recognize the qualities and abilities of Broward's outstanding school leaders - Achievement, Communication, Compassion, Leadership, Accountability, Innovation and Motivation.
Principal of the Year 2005-2006
Michaelle Valbrun-Pope has made it a point to turn North Side Elementary School into the educational "hub" of the community. That's because she understands that students need to reinforce what they learn in school at home - and for many students, that home foundation needed some help.
Many of her students come from low income families and do not have the resources other children in the county have. So, she implemented the Books in Every Hand program where free books were given to every student so they could begin a library at home. In addition, knowing there was a high illiteracy rate among parents, she began the North Side Elementary Family Literacy Program. To boost literacy rates, the program consists of basic skills classes, parenting seminars and GED activities held four nights a week for students, parents and siblings.
By addressing not only her students' needs in school, but at home as well, Ms. Pope has seen student achievement rise under her leadership. Now, more than 50 percent of her students are performing at Level 3 or higher on the reading portion of the FCAT.
Assistant Principal of the Year 2005-2006
Marci Lindemann has been an assistant principal in Broward for the past 10 years, most recently at Riverglades Elementary School in Coral Springs. As an AP, Ms. Lindemann has worked to increase parental participation in the educational process.
She includes parents in "staff development" activities to increase their sense of school community and provide them an opportunity to take part in increasing student achievement. Ms. Lindemann also understands the need to interact with students, and has earned their respect through her fair, firm and friendly attitude. They all know, if they have a problem, they can turn to Ms. Lindemann for help and advice. For Ms. Lindemann, children are the focus of her profession.
ACCLAIM AWARD Finalists
PRINCIPALS:
Helen Akers, Plantation Park Elementary School; Marion Ann Fee, Lakeside Elementary School; and Sherry Patire, Seminole Middle School.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS:
Wendy Galinsky, Davie Elementary; Claudia McGrath, Virginia Shuman Young Elementary; and Elaine Saef, Panther Run Elementary.
