Northern Arizona University alumni continue to top the list of the Rodel Exemplary Principal awards for 2015, with five of the eight principals having earned degrees or certificates from the university.<\/p>\n
The Rodel Exemplary Principal Initiative recognizes principals in high-need schools where at least 50 percent of students are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program. Finalists were selected from Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai counties. The winners each receive a $1,500 savings bond and commit to mentoring aspiring principals for the next two years.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rodel selected the winners from 16 finalists who are recognized for their exceptional management abilities and for fostering a welcoming, safe learning environment focused on student achievement. Nine of the 16 finalists earned a degree or certification from NAU.<\/span><\/p>\n “At Northern Arizona University, we take a lot of pride in our roots as a teacher\u2019s college,\u201d said President Rita Cheng<\/strong>. “We share the passion of these principals for supporting teachers and educating their students. The dedication of these talented educators improves the lives of young people, their families and their communities.”<\/span><\/p>\n Exemplary Principal Amy Uchacz<\/strong> gave credit for the award to her dedicated teaching staff and the education she received at Northern Arizona University. <\/span>\u201cNAU is unique and hands down the best education I could have received. My classes were small, we had access to our professors, and every teacher I had was invested in making sure we were ready to go do the hard work in the classroom,\u201d Uchacz said. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Listed below are the 2015 Rodel Exemplary Principals, degree or certificate earned from NAU, the school they currently lead and the city in which it is located:<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Alicia Alvarez<\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span>master\u2019s in educational leadership, Alta Vista Charter High School, Alta Vista <\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Connie Jerpseth<\/span><\/a><\/span>,<\/span> master\u2019s in educational leadership and a principal certification, Mesquite Elementary School, Yuma <\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Lisa Sandomir<\/span><\/a><\/span>, master\u2019s in secondary education and administrative certification, Maurice C. Cash Elementary School, Laveen \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Christine Sullivan<\/span><\/a><\/span>, master\u2019s in educational leadership and administrative certification, La Cima Middle School, Tucson<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Amy Uchacz<\/span><\/a><\/span>,<\/span> bachelor\u2019s in elementary education and early childhood development, master\u2019s in counseling and human relations, and a master\u2019s in educational leadership, Pima Elementary School, Scottsdale<\/span><\/p>\n Additional finalist principals are:<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Cristela Cardenas<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>bachelor\u2019s in elementary education, master\u2019s in educational leadership, Gallego Basic Elementary School, Tucson <\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Brenda Catlett<\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span>master\u2019s in educational leadership, Arizona Desert Elementary School, Tolleson<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Joanne Pike<\/span>,<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>administrative certificate and working on superintendent certificate, Copper Basin School, San Tan Valley<\/span><\/p>\n Read more online<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"