Leaders at Edgewood Elementary and Spring Woods High School were recently named by their peers as Spring Branch ISD’s 2016 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year.
Edgewood Elementary School Principal Vivian Pratts and Spring Woods High School Principal Jennifer Parker won this year’s honors in the district’s eleventh annual recognition of campus leaders.
Honorees are nominated by peers and must demonstrate the following qualities:
- Concern for all staff and students and the ability to inspire both of these groups
- Ability and willingness to work cooperatively with all staff and administrators
- Proven drive to initiate and implement effective strategies supporting continuous improvement in student performance
- Ability to work with diverse community groups and all district stakeholders
- Proven desire for continuous personal and professional growth
- Ability and willingness to make meaningful contributions to education
Pratts too is honored by the award from her peers. “Each and every one of the principals is truly deserving of this recognition,” she said, “and that they chose me to represent them is truly an honor.”
She sees herself as defined by instructional leadership – providing professional development opportunities, coaching and feedback for her staff, helping them be the “best that th
ey can be.”
“I believe that when administrators take care of their teachers, the teachers will in turn do a great job meeting all the needs of their children and improving student achievement,” said Pratts. “Cultivating school leaders is also very important to me. I think is important for principals to support teachers who aspire to take on leadership roles throughout their educational careers.”
Pratts has been an educator for 26 years, much of that in Spring Branch ISD as an assistant principal, elementary principal and bilingual ESL director. She’s also worked in Aldine ISD and Conroe ISD. She currently serves as past president of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education.
She said her teachers and students drive her, every day.
“They inspire me,” said Pratts. “Their resiliency, passion and commitment makes me what to give them 100 percent each and every day.”
Spring Woods High School Principal Jennifer Parker
“I am one of many who deserve this recognition as I believe SBISD leaders are extraordinary,” she said. And that the award comes from her peers? “Again, I am humbled by their support, and I am grateful to work with such amazing individuals.”An educator for 26 years, Parker returned to Spring Branch ISD and Spring Woods High School three years ago after several years as principal at Alief ISD’s Hastings High School. She’s served 20 years in Spring Branch ISD as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.
Parker said she’s driven by student success and achievement, focusing on #onegoal at Spring Woods High School – success with honor and spirit. She’s also driven, she said, by a commitment to continuous improvement, teacher leadership and a “relentless focus on providing opportunities for student achievement.”
She practices a collaborative leadership style, with a belief in developing emerging leaders, she said.
And what gets Jennifer Parker up in the morning? “Amazing students, staff, parents and community members,” she said. “Every day I strive to provide opportunities for students and to develop well-rounded students. I am blessed to work in SBISD and Spring Woods High – Tiger Country! I love my staff and my job!”
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