Mario Tijerina
Brunson-Lee Elementary School
Balsz Elementary District

Chris Knutsen
Florence High School
Florence Unified School District
Michael Madison
Monte Vista Elementary School
Creighton Elementary District

?
2012 Rodel Exemplary Principals
Introducing the
Who
becomes a Rodel Exemplary Principal
Finalists
The 
Jim Brunenkant
Flowing Wells High School
Flowing Wells Unified School District

Experience: 19 years in education, including seven years as an English and photography teacher, five years as an assistant principal and seven years as a high school principal

Learning from a mentor: One lesson I learned from a mentor is  to always have a purpose. When you leave your office, come back having accomplished something. Never be in your office unless you know the campus is safe, the students are secure and the teachers have all they need to teach. And never forget—always do what is best for kids.
Chad Caudle
Hohokam Traditional School
Scottsdale Unified School District

Experience: 14 years in education including six years as a teacher, three years as an assistant principal and five years as an elementary principal

Setting high expectations: My personal actions are the most powerful way to convey high expectations. I do my best to model these expectations on a daily basis. I also believe in communicating a clear and consistent message, with the understanding that we all must be held accountable.
Becky Henderson
Harris Elementary School
Gilbert Unified District

Experience: 16 years in education including eight years at a classroom teacher, one year as dean of students and seven years as an elementary principal

A tip for parents: One tip that I can give parents to help their children be successful in school is to set goals early regarding the expectation to attend a college or university. Elementary school is not too early to start discussing the expectation of higher education. Pick a university and visit the campus - even if you never attended college yourself. Discover the school together! Ask about the process of getting accepted into the college or university so that you can start setting goals early.
Christine Hollingsworth
Acacia Elementary School
Washington Elementary School District

Experience: 26 years in education including 13 years as an elementary and special education teacher, two years as a dean of students, three years as an assistant principal and eight years as a principal

Bragging rights: Acacia is great because of the staff, students and families that make us a true neighborhood community school. We are proud of growing from a school that was in danger of being labeled Underperforming in 2001 to achieving Highly Performing Status for the first time in 2009. Two years ago, we earned the designation “Arizona A+ School of Excellence” from the Arizona Educational Foundation.  This year, we were able to earn an “A” rating from the Arizona Department of Education.
Darlene J. Johnson
Holmes Elementary School
Mesa Public Schools

Experience: 28 years in education including nine years teaching special education, six years teaching grades five and six as a classroom teacher, one and a half years as an assistant principal at a middle school and 12 years as an elementary principal

A tip for new principals: I would advise new principals to be learners. They will be asked questions and be put in situations that they do not have answers to. They need to know it is ok to take time to process and seek advice. It is their job to learn and seek those answers, but it is ok not to have an immediate response. To be thoughtful and to seek information is better than an immediate answer. Principals need to evaluate their decisions based on what is best for the students.
Jennifer Murrieta
Desert Willow Elementary School
Casa Grande Elementary School District

Experience: 15 years in education including four years as a classroom teacher, five years as an assistant principal and six years as an elementary school principal

Learning from a mentor: My mentor taught me to stay positive!  There are many situations we face in education that can easily bring us down - student lives outside of school, budget cuts and frozen salaries. We cannot change each situation, but we can choose to take what we have and make the best of it. We must find ways to keep that positive energy flowing throughout our schools for that is what separates the good from the great.
Carrie Prielipp
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
Pendergast Elementary District

Experience: 17 years in education including seven years as a classroom teacher, one year as a district professional development consultant, four years as an assistant principal and five years as an elementary principal

Being inspired to lead: Above any role in education, the classroom teacher has the greatest and most profound impact on the students we serve. I absolutely loved being a classroom teacher and never took for granted the awesome responsibility of this role. Having the opportunity to support, inspire and influence teachers to become the best they can be for our students is ultimately what brought me to the principalship. I still consider myself a teacher, one who is lucky enough to have the opportunity to impact over 600 students a day.
John E. Robertson
Craycroft Elementary School
Sunnyside Unified School District

Experience: 38 years in education including 16 years as a classroom teacher, three years as a middle school assistant principal and 19 years as an elementary principal

Being inspired to lead: As a classroom teacher I was able to positively affect the lives of my students both academically and personally. I knew becoming a principal would allow me to have a greater impact on a larger number of kids. Also, as a principal, I could empower and model for others what I was able to do as a classroom teacher for my students, but on a larger scale, thus expanding student success.
Gina M. Thompson
Kofa High School
Yuma Union High School District

Experience: 22 years in education including seven years as a high school English teacher, seven years as an assistant principal and currently a principal

A tip for parents: Support the most rigorous curriculum possible for your students. Developing a strong work ethic and fostering a commitment to academic excellence is necessary for all future experiences in college and careers. The classroom must be a place where lessons are purposeful and rich in intentional development of literacy and problem-solving skills. That study must extend outside the walls of the classroom.  Parents must expect a rigorous program of academic and personal skill development.
Alexis Wilson
Griffith Elementary School
Balsz Elementary District

Experience: 13 years in education including eight years as a second-, third-, and fifth-grade classroom teacher, two years as an assistant principal and three years as elementary principal

Bragging rights: We moved from a culture of isolation to one of collaboration, with teachers becoming leaders and innovators rather than stand-alone operators. We now have meetings and planning sessions in which ideas are flowing, and staff are sharing their strategies, highlights and challenges. Staff demonstrate leadership at both school and district levels as they work on various committees, present professional development to staff, assist others in implementation of initiatives, lead grade levels and informally mentor new (and even experienced!) teachers.
David Dumon
Surprise Elementary School
Dysart Unified District
?
How
are Rodel Exemplary Principals selected
?
What
does a Rodel Exemplary Principal do next
Juli Tate Peach
Alice Byrne Elementary School
Yuma Elementary District
John Scudder
Sheely Farms Elementary School
Tolleson Elementary District
Stephen Jared Trejo
C. E. Rose Elementary School
Tucson Unified District
Partners
Our
They get to "pay it forward" by training and mentoring three Rodel Aspiring Principals for two years.

They'll also be honored at an awards banquet and receive a cash award.
Outstanding principals from high-need schools identified in Arizona can be nominated by their superintendents to become Rodel Exemplary Principals. 
Rodel asks superintendents to nominate principals from high-need schools who have a history of high student achievement. 

Through interviews and observations with the principal and staff, Rodel's team looks for evidence of high expectations and a focus on effective teaching and student management strategies. 

The principals selected as Rodel Exemplary Principals are those whose leadership inspires their staffs to contribute to school-wide success and the development of a campus that is high achieving, safe, orderly and welcoming.