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MEDIA
CONTACTS:
Matt Cardoza, mcardoza@gadoe.org,
(404) 651-7358 or Keisha Ford-Jenrette, kford@gadoe.org (404) 657-2949
October
30, 2015 –
James Heater, principal at Ester F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing
Arts (Savannah-Chatham County Public School System), was named the recipient of
the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership today. Heater is one
of seven principals nationwide to receive the award, which honors outstanding
school leaders and the vital role they play in overcoming difficult
circumstances.
“We
know that there is a common ingredient in great schools, and that ingredient is
outstanding leadership, just like that of James Heater,” State School
Superintendent Richard Woods said. “I congratulate Mr. Heater on this
prestigious award that recognizes his tremendous leadership.”
The
U.S. Department of Education, together with the National Association of
Elementary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and
the National Association of Secondary School Principals, presents the Terrel H.
Bell Awards to principals of National
Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding work and the vital role they play
in guiding their students and schools to excellence, frequently under
challenging circumstances. This year’s recipients will be honored at an awards
ceremony Monday, November 9, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
When
Heater became principal of Esther F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing
Arts in 2013, he was the school’s third principal in as many years. Garrison
was struggling with its mission and identity. Leadership was fundamentally
broken, resulting in a loss of confidence from all stakeholders, and the PTA
had fallen apart. As principal, Heater immediately engaged his leadership team,
parents, stakeholders, and students, and dedicated himself to encouraging
excellence throughout the building. His continuous promotion of high
expectations for students and staff was recognized when he won the 2014 Georgia
PTA Outstanding Principal Award.
The
core of Heater’s leadership philosophy is to treat every person in a
respectful, caring, and professional manner. He conveys this by sharing school
responsibilities with all constituents and fostering communication that
addresses their dreams, hopes, and ideas.
Heater
is Georgia’s second Terrel H. Bell Award recipient – Dr. Traci Jackson,
principal of Shirley Hills Elementary School in Houston County, was honored in
2011.
The
award is named for former U.S. Secretary of Education Terrel H. Bell, who began
his career as a high school teacher and bus driver, and later served as a
principal, superintendent, state commissioner of education, Commissioner of the
Office of Education under Presidents Nixon and Ford, and Secretary of Education
under President Reagan. Bell worked with the National Association of Elementary
School Principals (NAESP) to found the Blue Ribbon Schools initiative and the
National Distinguished Principals Program to recognize outstanding schools and
school leaders.