Principal of the Year Nominations are Due Dec. 11

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) announced nominations are open for the 2010 Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award presented annually to Loudoun County's Principal of the Year.

Members of the public, teachers, other administrators, students, and former students may submit nominations. The nominated principal may provide information for the nomination packet, which must be delivered, to LCPS Administrative Offices, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, by Friday, December 11.

LCPS provided a list of Principal of the Year nomination criteria which includes: A minimum of four and a maximum of 12 statements of support, one of which comes from a professional educator; The nominee must have a minimum of five years experience as a principal, three of those years in LCPS; A career summary of the nominee; A description of how the principal manages effectively; encourages creativity and innovation; maintains a continuing dialogue with students, parents, faculty and staff; keeps abreast of developments in education; encourages team spirit; exemplifies leadership and commitment; and continues to play an active role in the classroom, according to the LCPS announcement.

Paul Vickers, principal of Mill Run Elementary, was the 2009 recipient of The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award for Loudoun County.

Past recipients of The Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award include:

· Mary Lee Phelps, Middleburg Elementary (1986)

· Bernice M. Nicewicz, Sugarland Elementary (1987)

· William L. Whitmore Jr., Leesburg Elementary (1988)

· Frances R. Fera, J. Lupton Simpson Middle School (1989)

· Terrence W. Hill, Sterling Middle School (1990)

· Dennis A. Young, Meadowland Elementary (1991)

· Kenneth W. Culbert, Loudoun Valley High School (1992)

· Michael A. Megeath, C.S. Monroe Technology Center (1993)

· Ronald E. Dyer, Sterling Elementary (1994)

· James E. Person, Park View High School (1996)

· Mary B. Morris, Cool Spring Elementary (1997)

· Wayne C. Mills, Rolling Ridge Elementary (1998)

· Charles J. Haydt, Sterling Middle School (1999)

· Laurie C. McDonald, Lowes Island Elementary (2000)

· Nancy E. McManus, Cedar Lane Elementary (2001)

· Dr. Virginia M. Minshew, Farmwell Station Middle School (2002)

· Dr. Edgar T. Markley, Broad Run High School (2003)

· Dr. Susan P. Browning, Seldens Landing Elementary (2004)

· Dr. Jack Robinson , Douglass School (2005)

· Margaret Huckaby, Heritage High School (2006)

· Eric L. Stewart, Smart's Mill Middle School (2007)

A committee of principals, teachers, parents and members of the Loudoun community will review the nominations. LCPS Director of Middle School Education Barbara Nichols serves as the committee's non-voting chair. Contact LCPS Office of Middle School Education at 571-252-1090 with any questions regarding the nomination process.

julia@loudouni.com