Acclaim Award

Erik Anderson, attended Tropical Elementary School (Plantation) as a child, currently serves as the school's principal, and now has the distinction of being named Broward's top principal. Anderson received Broward County Public Schools 2011 ACCLAIM award at a ceremony held this evening (May 25) at Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes. Broward's top assistant principal is Ernie Lozano, a multi-talented assistant principal at McNab Elementary School (Pompano Beach).

Anderson and Lozano both received $1,000 checks from BrightStar Credit Union, an event sponsor.

The ACCLAIM Awards were created to honor outstanding principals and assistant principals each year for their hard work and dedication. The awards seek to recognize school leaders who excel in the following areas: Achievement, Communication, Compassion, Leadership, Accountability, Innovation and Motivation.

Erik Anderson, Tropical Elementary School
Erik Anderson, who has had 22 years of experience in education, more than eight as a principal, is committed to providing a positive learning experience for all students. His willingness to tackle any task requested, and his extraordinary talent to support school goals is commendable.

Under Anderson's leadership, Tropical Elementary has received an "A" grade for eight consecutive years. He believes in a hands-on, team approach to managing the school. He provides dynamic leadership that energizes his staff and students to do their jobs of teaching and learning. Anderson instituted four, highly functioning Professional Learning Communities (PLC) in the areas of reading, writing, math and science. These PLCs have enabled the school to continually respond to it's growing and changing population, which has resulted in the school's consistent "A" grade.

Anderson is attentive to the needs of students, listens to their problems, and offers encouraging words. His leadership, business sense and education experience have allowed him to provide students with the best elementary education possible.

Ernie Lozano, Assistant Principal, McNab Elementary School
Each school morning you will find Ernie Lozano making sure each child has breakfast and warm clothes and motivating them to do well academically, and resolving student, parent and teacher concerns.In his three years at McNab, Lozano has made a significant contribution to the school's positive climate. He integrated the Character Education program into the school's culture by encouraging teachers to nominate and submit one student from their class that best exhibits that month's character trait. He is also very involved with the school's PTA and the school district's Anti-Bullying program. Lozano strives to enforce an equal and respectful learning environment. He has been very successful in his efforts to increase the use of technology and obtain additional technology for the school. In his first year at McNab, the school had no SMART Boards, only five projectors and four document cameras. Now, thanks to his diligence in working with staff, the school community and District personnel, every classroom in the school has a projector, document camera and SMART Board or Promethean Board.

Lozano deals with every situation with complete professionalism. He works tirelessly to complete all assigned tasks and welcomes any challenge. His enthusiasm is contagious and he is well respected by parents, students and staff.

2011 ACCLAIM FINALISTS