School Leaders Receive TaxWatch Principal Leadership Award

Ms. Chimene Johnson, principal of Apalachicola Bay Charter School in Franklin County at the TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards ceremony, Sept. 24, 2015.
Ms. Chimene Johnson, principal of Apalachicola Bay Charter School in Franklin County at the TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards ceremony, Sept. 24, 2015.

 

 

Tallahassee, FL – On August 24, 2015, Florida TaxWatch announced the winners of their 3rd Annual Principal Leadership Awards. The recognition is based on analysis of student achievement gains in reading and mathematics in schools that have high percentages of students with disabilities, students designated as English as a Second Language learners, and those eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch. Six principals, including two from public charter schools, were named the state’s top principals who are helping at-risk students in low-income, high-risk schools exceed expected learning gains.

According to TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute, no nominations were accepted for the awards. The Principal Leadership Awards recipients were selected by a data-driven program that ranks school leaders based their school’s ability to help at-risk students in low-income, high-risk schools exceed expected learning gains.

 

The 2015 Florida TaxWatch Principal Leadership Awards honorees are:

  • Chimene Johnson, Apalachicola Bay Charter School, Franklin;
  • Judith Marty, Mater Academy Charter High School, Miami-Dade;
  • Harriett Taylor, Springfield Elementary School, Bay;
  • Jeff Raimann, Indiantown Middle School, Martin;
  • Sandra Whidden, Sebring Middle School, Highlands;
  • Thomas Bolling, Interlachen High School, Putnam.

“Visionary school leaders inspire and motive everyone around them to reach beyond all limitations. They understand that a school is not great unless every student – especially those who struggle – is achieving academically and making learning gains,” said Lynn Norman-Teck, executive director, Florida Charter School Alliance. “The school leaders recognized lead the pack of dedicated educators who build phenomenal partnerships with parents and teachers, and create a positive and nurturing school environment that helps all children rise and learn.”

 

The principals will be recognized at a ceremony on September 24, 2015 in Orlando. They will receive a generous financial award sponsored by the Florida Lottery, Kyra Solutions, the J.M. Rubin Foundation, State Farm, Wells Fargo, Brighthouse Networks, BrightStar Credit Union, MAXIMUS, Life Touch and Ajax Construction. The principals will also be recognized at the State Board of Education meeting in October. A video about the program is available at www.floridataxwatch.org/principalleadership

 

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