Magnet Schools of America Selects 2016 Regional Principals of the Year

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Washington, DC, March 12, 2016 – Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is pleased to announce the recipients of its Regional Principal of-the-Year Awards for 2016. Through a competitive application process, these individuals were selected from MSA’s eight regions. They will be recognized during Magnet Schools of America’s 34th National Conference in Miami, Florida May 3-7, 2016. They are all eligible to be selected as the National Magnet School Principal of-the-Year on the last day of the conference. “These magnet school leaders are recognized for setting high expectations within their schools and communities. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to theme-based education and maximizing learning opportunities for all students,” said Magnet Schools of America, Executive Director Todd Mann.

2016 Regional Principals of the Year

• Region I – Dr. Nicholas J. Spera, Marine Science Magnet High School,
  LEARN, Connecticut, Theme(s): Marine Science
• Region II – Karen Barnes, Southwest Academy, Baltimore County Public Schools, Maryland,
  Theme(s): Science and Engineering
• Region III – Martin T. Reid, Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts, Miami-Dade County
  Public Schools, Florida, Theme(s): Visual Arts; Performing Arts; Communicative Arts
• Region IV – Shane Barham, Wendell Creative Arts and Science Magnet Elementary School, Wake
  County Public School System, North Carolina, Theme(s): Creative Arts and Science
• Region V – Nanette McCann, Baton Rouge Magnet High School, East Baton Rouge Parish Schools,
  Louisiana, Theme(s): Academic; Visual and Performing Arts
• Region VII – Lura Jo Atherly, Jardine STEM & Career Exploration Middle Magnet Academy, Unified
  School District No. 259, Kansas, Theme(s): Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics;
  Career Exploration
• Region VIII – Anne Grisham, Sandy Miller Elementary School, Clark County School District, Nevada, Theme(s): International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme

Regional Principals of the Year are acknowledged by their peers for their exemplary contributions made to their
profession and have demonstrated excellence in the following four areas:

• Promoting equity and diversity among students and staff within their magnet school;
• Providing equitable academic success for all students;
• Leadership implementing and sustaining an innovative magnet program;
• Evidence of leadership within the school district and the magnet community.

To be selected as a Regional Magnet School Principal of the Year, candidates must be nominated and submit a narrative application with three recommendation letters. In addition, they must be a member of Magnet Schools of America and have served as their school’s principal for a minimum of three years. All applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of magnet educators.

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