Three Northern Arizona University graduates are among nine principals named as winners of the Rodel Foundation of Arizona\u2019s Exemplary Principal Initiative for 2011.<\/p>\n
The Rodel Foundation released the names of winners last week as part of its annual initiative to recognize school leaders. Rodel looks for principals who inspire their staffs to focus on student success through effective teaching and student management while contributing to the overall success of the institution.<\/p>\n
The winners were selected from 14 finalists who are principals in high-need schools in Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai counties. Seven of the finalists earned a master\u2019s degree from NAU\u2019s College of Education.<\/p>\n
\u201cI often talk about the many wonderful professors I had the honor of working with at NAU,\u201d said\u00a0Christine Hollingsworth<\/strong>, a 1995 NAU grad and Rodel finalist. \u201cThey presented us with real-life strategies that I have been able to utilize immediately upon becoming principal. I truly believe some of these strategies assisted me in being proactive and successful with some of the most difficult issues that face school leaders today.\u201d<\/p>\n The nine winners of this year\u2019s Rodel award each receive a $5,000 savings bond and the role of mentoring three aspiring principals.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is an honor for us to be recognized through our graduates\u2019 successes,\u201d said\u00a0Gypsy Denzine<\/strong>, dean of NAU\u2019s College of Education. \u201cBy pairing award-winning teachers and principals with aspiring educators and leaders, the Rodel Foundation is ensuring even more students will benefit from the skills of these individuals. We are pleased to be a partner in their effort.\u201d<\/p>\n NAU works with the Rodel Foundation as part of its initiative to boost student achievement by pairing exemplary teachers in high-poverty schools with promising student teachers.<\/p>\n Of 13 individuals named Rodel Exemplary Teachers\u00a0last month<\/a>, nine were NAU alums.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2011 Winners<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n Degree from NAU<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n Year graduated<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n Current City<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Tassi Call<\/strong><\/td>\n Master\u2019s<\/td>\n 1999<\/td>\n Tucson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Denise Linsalata<\/strong><\/td>\n Master\u2019s<\/td>\n 1997<\/td>\n Tucson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Randy Watkins<\/strong><\/td>\n Master\u2019s, doctoral (in progress)<\/td>\n 2001, 2011<\/td>\n Surprise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cole Young<\/strong><\/td>\n Bachelor\u2019s (2), master\u2019s<\/td>\n 1992, 1995, 1996<\/td>\n Dewey-Humboldt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2011 Finalists<\/strong><\/td>\n Degree from NAU<\/strong><\/td>\n Year graduated<\/strong><\/td>\n Current City<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Christine Hollingsworth<\/strong><\/td>\n Master\u2019s<\/td>\n 1995<\/td>\n Peoria<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Carrie Prielipp<\/strong><\/td>\n Master\u2019s<\/td>\n 2001<\/td>\n Litchfield Park<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Lisa Sandomir<\/strong><\/td>\n Master\u2019s<\/td>\n 1996<\/td>\n Phoenix<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"