8 Mar 2004
Campus Leaders Honored for Dedication and Effectiveness
DALLAS– The Dallas Independent School District named four Area Principals of the Year during a reception held Friday, March 5.
The reception, sponsored by AXA Advisors, recognized the work of administrators nominated for innovative leadership on their campuses. Jim Scales, deputy superintendent–Administrative Services, saluted the outstanding principals and said that effective campus leaders are the engines that run successful schools. "Campus leadership is a 24-7 job," he said. "Good principals are alert to the needs of their schools 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The principalship is one of the most challenging roles in an educational organization," said Scales.
PTA presidents, student council officers, faculty members and fellow administrators wrote nominations describing outstanding principals. Nominated principals submitted essays outlining their professional practices and experience. The selection committee was comprised of current and retired administrators, and representatives from teacher organizations, higher education and the community. Nominees were judged on leadership skills, student and staff relations, and commitment to parent and community involvement.
Those honored Friday include:
Michael Satarino, School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center–Area 5 Principal of the Year
Satarino has been with the district since coming to TAG Magnet in 1997. Parent Marcie Haley says her principal advocates solutions that are best for students. TAG teachers rarely leave except for promotion or retirement. The student graduation rate is 100 percent, and all graduates enroll in college with either scholarships or grants. Satarino received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Education from Southern Methodist University.
Dorothy Gomez, Winnetka Elementary School–Area 6 Principal of the Year
Dorothy Gomez has served as a principal of Winnetka since 2000. Gomez was nominated by campus instructional leadership team member Diana Vega, who reveals her principal's secret for getting teachers to work so hard. "It is an expectation that she has taught us to uphold," Vega says. Gomez attributes her school's achievement to her staff, and the shared belief that if preparation and motivation are present, student success will follow– along with the desire for more success. Gomez received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso and Master of Education in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Judith Meyer, David G. Burnet Elementary School (Grades 3-5)–Area 7 Principal of the Year
Meyer began her career in education as a teacher and then principal of the Colegio Americano de Torreon A.C. in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. She has served as principal of Herbert Marcus Elementary School and North Dallas High School, and has been principal of grades 3-5 at David G. Burnet since 2000. Nominator Mary Ramirez praises Meyer's endless energy, strong organizational skills and appreciation of diversity. Corporate community members note Meyer's leadership and ability to achieve results. Meyer received her Bachelor of Arts from Washburn University and Master of Education/ Educational Leadership from Boston University.
Janet E. Jones, Martha Turner Reilly Elementary School–Area 8 Principal of the Year
Dr. Jan Jones began her career in education at W.H. Gaston Middle School as a special education teacher. She was named principal of Martha Turner Reilly Elementary School in 2001, and has been asked to lead the new Highland Meadows Elementary School. Shontá White-Armstrong, a teacher at Reilly Elementary, wrote that her principal runs a tight, safe and steady ship, calling her a Super Woman who finds resources, allows flexibility but initiates and ensures uniformity. Jones received her Bachelor of Science from Texas A & M Commerce and Master of Arts in Teaching in Science Education from the University of Texas at Dallas.
A February reception honored the nominees in areas 1–4, and these individuals were also named Area Principals of the Year:
Jose Cardenas, Seagoville Middle School–Area 1 Principal of the Year
Linda Smith-Ellis, W.W. Bushman Elementary School–Area 2 Principal of the Year
Constance Whalon Burton, Priscilla Tyler Elementary School–Area 3 Principal of the Year
Alford Tribble Sr., Adelle Turner Elementary School–Area 4 Principal of the Year
The DISD Principal of the Year will be named Tuesday, June 15. AXA Advisors, who also sponsors a scholarship program for DISD students, is the sponsor of the Principal of the Year program.