Acclaim Award

PRINCIPAL WINNER
Michaelle Valbrun-Pope, North Side Elementary
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 at the school, she began the North Side Elementary Family Literacy Program. This program runs four nights a week for students, parents and siblings of all ages to help boost literacy rates via basic skills classes, parenting seminars and GED activities.

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. And there has been a 10 percent increase in the number of students at Level 3 in math.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WINNER
Marci Lindemann, Riverglades Elementary
Marci Lindemann has been an assistant principal in Broward for the past 10 years, most recently at Riverglades Elementary School in Parkland. As an AP, Ms. Lindemann has worked to increase parental participation in the educational process.

She began to include parents in “staff development” activities, which increased their sense of a school community as well as provided them the chance to take part in increasing student achievement. Ms. Lindemann also understands the need to interact with students, and she has earned their respect through her fair, firm and friendly attitude. They all know, if they have a problem, they can turn to Ms. Lindmann for help and advice. For Ms. Lindemann, children are the focus of her profession.


THE ACCLAIM AWARD FINALISTS