NBRS ceremony – Learning from Great American Schools: Recent Episodes
National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Program
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
Page last updated 11.16.21 2021 NBRS Awards Ceremony Highlights The 2021 Annual National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony on November 4th and 5th in National Harbor, Maryland brought nearly 800 educators and leaders together to recognize 325 public and private schools receiving the award. During this celebratory, two-day event, participants heard from several guest speakers, Read More
Sophia Acevedo is described as a forward-thinker, clear communicator, capacity builder, and promoter of hope and resiliency. As the first principal of Calder Road Elementary School, she has led the school to become an exemplary achievement gap closing school since 2010. Calder Road is a Title I elementary school serving a diverse student population in Read More
As a principal, Sonia Flores wants to ensure students and staff discover and reach “their highest personal and academic potential by becoming responsible citizens within their community.” She has a clear vision to support students in achieving their maximum potential by attaining the skills, both personal and academic, to be successful beyond college and career. Read More
Principal Mary Anderson believes that the most important role she plays as a leader is “setting the vision and establishing the expectations.” She focuses all decisions on what is best for the entire school community, sets and instills high expectations, and communicates a collective vision. Principal Anderson started on her path toward educational leadership over Read More
“Our children are not at-risk, they are at-promise.” That is Mardele Early’s reminder about what is possible when you genuinely believe in the promise that young people hold and that educators can unlock. This reminder has formed the bedrock of Ms. Early’s career as an educator for the last 46 years. Mardele Simmons Early, a Read More
Principal John Gibbons understands what makes an outstanding middle school experience for students, staff, and families. He has worked at the middle school level for over 36 years in a variety of roles, beginning his career in California before moving back to Massachusetts to be closer to family. For nine years, he was a teacher, Read More
Elisa Brown believes that children deserve an education that will help them graduate from college, become leaders in their community, and enjoy the benefits of personal freedom and good citizenship. To accomplish that goal, she, and the PS 249 – The Caton School staff insist that all students meet and exceed grade level standards, become Read More
Principal Christy Flores was inspired by her grandfather who was the principal of the only middle school in a small town. She remembers the strong connection he had with the community and how important “building trust, developing relationships, and demonstrating a genuine care and concern for each individual person” was to him. With this memory Read More
During her seven years as principal, Angela Silvaggio has played a vital role in transforming Mesquite Elementary School into a high-performing school that is closing the achievement gap. Mesquite Elementary School is a low-performing Title I school in a rural New Mexico community where the median income is less than $21,000. One hundred percent of Read More
2020 NBRS Award Ceremony Presentation of Awards The 2020 Annual National Blue Ribbon Schools Virtual Awards Ceremony was simulcast on November 12th and 13th to well over 1,600 educators, leaders, and school community members to recognize 367 public and private schools receiving the award. Aba Kumi, Director of the NBRS program, presided over the awards Read More