LORI CONNER
Carrillo Elementary Magnet School
Tucson Unified School District
Tucson, Arizona
As Carrillo principal, Lori Conner facilitated the creation of a magnet program that resulted in full integration and
closing the achievement gap for minority students in 2018, sustaining an “A” rating from the Arizona State
Department of Education, two A+ awards, and achieving MSA’s Demonstration level Magnet Certification.
The Carrillo principal’s leadership style supports staff, instruction and programs by being collaborative, inclusive of all stakeholders, and by growing leaders among staff members, students and the community. Staff members view Conner’s role as being a provider of instructional support, ensuring alignment of the school’s mission and improvement plan with the district’s vision, and providing direction by
facilitating the leadership team. Her leadership is described by staff members as “… (a) change facilitator, democratic and participatory, all voices are respected … shared decision making,” and as a leader who views the school as a community.
Conner’s nominators call her a true lifelong learner. She takes opportunities to broaden her understanding of
elementary curriculum and inst ruction by attending dist rict and state-provided staff development with her teachers. She makes funding staff development a budget priority, and provides opportunities for all teachers to attend summer technology integration PD from the Arizona K-12 Center.
Raise the level of performance consistent throughout school districts nationwide and creates a platform from which all magnet schools can flourish. Magnet Schools of America’s national certification process is designed to recognize the hard work of the best magnet schools in the nation and to help them as they grow.
