Acclaim Award

PRINCIPAL WINNER
Sharon Ludwig, Hallandale Elementary
During her 36-year educational career, Sharon Ludwig has not been afraid to take risks – especially if there is the potential of helping her students do their very best. That's why when the School Board wanted to implement a "year round" calendar at a school, Ms. Ludwig's school was at the top of the list. This program not only helped reduce the number of students on campus at any given time (helping relieve crowding), but more importantly, it has helped students improve academically, which is evident in Hallandale Elementary being an "A" school. She also works very hard to include parents, and is eager for them to give her any ideas or suggestions they may have to improve their school. Ms. Ludwig also provides encouragement to her staff, mentoring many of her paraprofessionals and even provides scholarships so they can return to college to become teachers.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WINNER
Marilyn Holmes, Chapel Trail Elementary
In the six years she has been at Chapel Trail Elementary, Marilyn Holmes has been part of many innovative projects. She established a Publishing Center, where students read books at Barnes & Noble and teachers held weekly writing workshops – all in an attempt to improve FCAT writing scores. The result: a continued increase in FCAT scores (3.9, 4.1, 4.3) and last year, nearly 70 percent of fourth-graders scored at level 4 or above. Ms. Holmes also manages 22 partnerships and helped Chapel Trail win two Partnerships of the Year awards. On a daily basis, Ms. Holmes demonstrates a high level of commitment and dedication to her students, their parents and the entire Chapel Trail Elementary community.