Dr. Rachel Jones, principal of Gurney Elementary in the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools, has been named the 2014 Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) Distinguished Principal of the Year.
“Jones was nominated and selected by her fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators,” said Dr. Julie Davis, OAESA Executive Director.
OAESA annually recognizes one middle school principal and/or one elementary school principal as Ohio Distinguished Principals of the Year. These principals represent Ohio in the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal program in Washington, D.C. In addition to representing the state at the national conference, the recipients serve as leaders in our state by presenting at workshops, taking speaking engagements, participating on committees at the state level, and they receive a monetary award that may be used entirely at the principal’s discretion.
The Distinguished Principal Committee, with assistance from the OAESA staff, review all of the candidates. They are seeking elementary or middle-level principals with at least five full years of service who exemplify quality leadership in education. Quality, educational leadership is defined by criteria and standards set in the following categories:
- Leadership and Management
- Parent / Community Relations
- High Standards for Students
- School Atmosphere
- Personal / Professional Growth
Nominees completed an extensive written application addressing each of these areas. Three finalists were invited to Columbus for an interview with an OAESA committee. Finally, as Dr. Jones became one of two finalists, a visitation team conducted an on-site evaluation at Gurney Elementary this past month. It has been a year-long process that is ending with Dr. Jones and Gurney Elementary School receiving the prestigious recognition.
“The ‘Gurney Experience’ includes a welcoming, challenging environment in which the entire staff is committed to improving student growth. This experience has been thoughtfully shaped by Dr. Jones and her team,” said Robert Hunt, superintendent of Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools. “She is a high quality educational leader that daily positively impacts young people. She has created an amazing educational culture for learning and growth for students and staff members. Programs are implemented with complete fidelity and support each making a positive impact on her building. She promotes staff leadership and empowers our teachers to be actively engaged in building and district improvement.”
Dr. Jones has been the principal of Gurney Elementary since 2001. The school currently has approximately 540 students and 70 staff members. She has recently completed the National Board Certification Pilot Program for Principals and achieved her doctorate in 2006; all personal, professional development activities she has used to continuously improve as an educator. A graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor degree in elementary education, the University of Akron with both a master’s of leadership and a doctorate of education leadership, Dr. Jones previously held positions of an adjunct faculty member with Ursuline College and the University of Akron, taught in Hudson City Schools, and served as an assistant principal with Twinsburg City Schools.
“At the helm of every successful school is a successful principal,” said Gail Connelly, NAESP’s executive director. “Our National Distinguished Principals program provides us with an opportunity to recognize the outstanding leadership of these principals and their commitment to creating successful learning communities. Because of them, students thrive academically, teachers grow professionally, and communities are strengthened.”
When asked what she is most proud of in her years as principal, Jones said, “I am most proud of the school-wide initiatives that we’ve developed at Gurney. They’ve become self-sustaining programs by empowering our teachers to be leaders. Responsive classroom, buddy classes, kinesthetic classroom kits, and Response to Intervention (to name a few) all have been implemented over the past several years and I have seen incredible results that benefit our young, individual learners.”
“The school culture among staff, students, parents and community is exemplary,” said Sheri Halagan, third grader teacher at Gurney Elementary. “Dr. Jones works tirelessly to create a positive family-like atmosphere in our building. She does not rest until problems are solved and creates an atmosphere of trust, respect, and caring.”
Dr. Jones will be honored at the OAESA Annual Awards Dinner on June 18 during the organization’s professional conference. In October, Dr. Jones will represent Ohio at the National Association of Elementary School Administrators (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal Program in Washington, D.C., for two days of activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary and middle-level educators chosen by the states, the District of Columbia, plus private and overseas schools.
Dr. Jones was the principal when Gurney Elementary won the OAESA Hall of Fame School Award in both 2004 and 2012. In addition, she received the Root Endowment Scholarship for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Research in 2006. Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools now has three Ohio Principals of the Year. Rebecca Holthaus was honored as the Ohio Middle Level Principal of the Year in 2013. Bob Hunt was named Ohio High School Principal of the Year in 2007.
Pictured above – Gurney Elementary School Principal Dr. Rachel Jones (in the black top) is surrounded by Gurney Elementary students Sven Nielsen (2nd gr), Cooper Ryan (1st gr), Julianna DiSalvo (kdg), Mira Haines (3rd gr) and Jacob Borger (3rd gr). Gurney Elementary teacher Sheri Halagan (in the pink sweater) This group was interviewed as part of the site evaluation.
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