The D Spot

As we look back during our childhood days, there was always that someone who was always there for us, with a ready smile on her face as she painstakingly taught us about the wonders of the world. There was always that dedicated person that sternly looked at us whenever we were not paying attention, a motherly devotion that has inspired us to realize our dreams, and to never stop pursuing our passions, until we reached our ultimate goals in life. But we were just kids back then and through our young minds, studying was hard work and a lot of us resented our teachers for that because we were being forced to learn about the things that we often didn’t care about.

Even after decades have passed, we still remember our hardworking teachers. However, when asked about who led and drove our teachers to academic excellence, making them an exceptional group of educators, we often forget the name and the face. The school principal will always be that vague figure, a shadow of a person, whose face is not often seen by the students. Who is the person behind this silhouette, the one who is responsible for running the whole school, perfecting and motivating the faculty so they can shape and inspire the minds of their pupils and molding them? Who are these outstanding principals?

These school managers are the ones who are responsible for the ribbons and medals to recognize the students’ academic achievements. They are the people who have made sure that parents are satisfied with the education that their children have received, pacify the difficult ones, and assure parents that their children are in good hands. They are the reason why the whole institution is running seamlessly, from budgeting the school finances, promoting its values and purpose to neighboring communities, and properly managing the school’s needs and resources.

It is indeed one of the most unacknowledged jobs to behold but still, these lionhearted individuals chose to continuously strive for scholastic supremacy, for the sake of the students and the faculty. It is about time that they are fully appreciated after years of selfless service by giving them an overdue award that they have so long deserved. This is their time for The Outstanding Principal Awards.

Recognition of Five Outstanding Principals

The Outstanding Principals (TOP) Awards have only one purpose—it is to finally recognize the uncelebrated roles and responsibilities of school managers and principals in the country. The 1^st National Search for The Outstanding Principals (TOP) is led by no other than Rossana Llenado, a multi-awarded educationalist and founder of AHEAD Learning Systems, Inc. After launching their Leadership Strategies for School Managers or LESSM, one of their flagship programs, Llenado was moved by these teachers’ selfless devotion, unfailing commitment, and adamant passion. She thought of honoring these principals, the perfect epitome of what educators and leaders should be.

Categories for The Outstanding Principals Awards

This recognition will be given to five principals in different categories. They are as follows:

TOP Award for Instructional Leadership. All academic institutions strive to provide only the best education for their pupils. An outstanding school leader will make sure that academic excellence is constantly met through developing, assessing, and initiating an efficient and highly effective curriculum. It will be the guide of the teachers and must be disseminated accordingly to their students with great gusto and patience, providing them a memorable experience as they motivate their classes to continuously learn, thus producing exemplary graduates.

TOP Award for School Management. An excellent principal must know how to manage the whole institution in the most effective manner. He must be able to budget the school’s finances by providing only the best educational package for the students and at the same time, make sure all employees are rightfully compensated. The school’s facilities must also be well maintained, giving the students a clean and healthy environment.

TOP Award for Mentoring. School principals must always strive for academic excellence not only for their students but for their faculty members as well. An outstanding leader will turn a mediocre teacher into an exemplary educator through continuous learning and motivation. It is crucial that the staff is taught how to work as a team and how positive reinforcements can always help with maintaining their confidence and school spirit.

TOP Award for Client Relations. All school principals must understand the sheer importance of parent and teacher relationship. Client relations include knowing how to deal with parents in difficult situations through effective and rational communication. The expectations of all parents and guardians must always be met and everyone in the academic institution must work together to fulfill the school’s mission and vision.

TOP Award for Community Involvement. Last but not the least, the final TOP Award will go to a school principal who teaches the faculty and the students to care about their surroundings by getting actively involved with their neighborhood. The whole institution must contribute to the betterment of the community through promoting environmental protection, providing educational outreach to the poor, and cooperating with other community activities.

These are the five TOP awards for the school managers and principals. Let this recognition become an inspiration to all of us because they have showed us how to reach our dreams and finish our goals.

So who will receive the first TOP Awards? The selection of winners will be on December 15, 2012 and the awards night will be in January 2013. Let us wait and see, and hope for the best.

Kudos to all teachers and principals – they will always be remembered as our great mentors of the past, our superb teachers and principals of today, and the first-class educators and school leaders of tomorrow. In our eyes and in our hearts, they will never be forgotten and all of them are already winners.

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