Three principals from area schools up for Rodel award

Those efforts have not only created learning environments with high expectations, they are also campuses considered to be safe, orderly and welcoming.

As a result, Cholla High Magnet School Principal Frank Armenta, Homer Davis Elementary leader Chad Miller and Daniel Schulter of Dodge Traditional Magnet School have been named finalists for the 2016 Rodel Exemplary Principal Award.

Because being a successful leader goes beyond day-to-day operations — Schulter has been known to tackle plumbing problems and Armenta regularly takes on lunch duty — the winning principal will mentor aspiring school leaders, sharing their secrets to success including:

• How to create a positive school culture.
• How to identify and evaluate highly effective teachers.
• How to develop collaborative classrooms.
• How to incorporate parent support.
• How to train and monitor teachers as they utilize data to support instruction.

The honor also comes with a $1,500 honorarium.

“A great principal builds and supports a school culture where students, staff, teachers and community members can work together to provide the best education and opportunities for all students,” said Jackie Norton, Rodel president and CEO. “We’re proud to recognize the leadership qualities exhibited by these outstanding principals, and look forward to working with them as they mentor and inspire the school leaders of tomorrow.”

Over the last eight years, nearly five dozen Rodel Exemplary Principals have been named in Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma counties. Those school leaders have mentored 174 Rodel Aspiring Principals.

Of the three Pima County Exemplary Principal finalists, Armenta and Schulter represent the Tucson Unified School District, and Miller hails from Flowing Wells.

On Sunday, the Arizona Daily Star will reveal Pima County’s 2016 Rodel Exemplary Principal.