U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 2022 recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. Nine principals from the 2022 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Read about each awardee below. 2022 Terrel H. Read More
Dr. Mahri Aste is principal of Mosaic Elementary School which is one of the most diverse schools in the country, as students come from 40 countries speaking 28 different languages. The school’s goal is to ensure students feel emotionally, mentally, and physically safe. Everyday Mosaic staff convey the message, we see you, we welcome you, Read More
The Checotah Intermediate School’s motto is “Creating Individual Success.” Principal Ryan Ambrose believes that every child can gain a year’s worth of academic growth in a calendar year (or even more). So, when he first arrived at Checotah Intermediate School (CIS) twelve years ago, he built a place where teachers could input data from various Read More
For thirty years as an educator, Principal James Sonju’s mission has been to inspire students to succeed by “providing opportunities and knocking down barriers” and to approach challenges to teaching and learning. Principal Sonju knew he wanted to be an educator from an early age. He began his career through a graduate program teaching at Read More
Principal Catherine Bricelj taught for 13 years before moving into a leadership role in 2013 at a French and Montessori school in New Orleans, Louisiana. She rose up the ranks quickly, moving from the Director of the French program to principal at that school. When the opportunity to apply for principalship of Myrtle Place Elementary Read More
Julie Scott, Principal of R.L. Wright Elementary School, describes being with students as her fuel. Her vision for the school is to be a safe learning environment where every student feels special and know they have caring adults on their side. During her four years at R.L. Wright, she has maintained a fierce commitment to Read More
James B. Eads Elementary School’s mission is “to help students demonstrate academic growth and social responsibility in a supportive and intellectually challenging learning environment.” By all accounts, Principal Linda Bevil embodies that mission, both in the school and in the community. Principal Bevil describes education as her calling – not just her career. She took Read More
Principal Denise Aloma is a seasoned educator, with a career spanning more than 50 years. She has taught and studied in the United States, Canada, and Jamaica, giving her an international perspective on teaching and learning. Much of her professional career has been at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, where she served as an English Read More
Principal Miguel Marco didn’t know he wanted a career in education until an opportunity to teach presented itself. While taking a year off between undergraduate studies and graduate school, he coached high school sports and was asked if he would be willing to substitute teach during the day. He agreed and that experience completely changed Read More
At Piedmont Elementary School, Principal Brigett Stewart has built a flourishing academic environment by leading the implementation of rigorous curriculum, making data informed instructional decisions, and centering the school’s focus on what is best for students. Since Principal Stewart’s arrival as principal five years ago, Piedmont Elementary School has made significant gains and was recently Read More