Colorado Springs school leader named Colorado’s National Distinguished Principal of the Year
Judith (Judy) McCollum, principal of Bates Elementary School in Colorado Springs School District 11, has been named the 2007 Colorado National Distinguished Principal of the Year. The announcement was made by the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), which coordinated the selection process.
McCollum is a hands-on principal who instills the desire in teachers to do their best work. Her leadership and management skills have led to increases in the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) test scores at Bates Elementary in all content areas since 2002, in a school where more than half of the students are from low-income families.
Especially notable is McCollum’s focus on community outreach. She has forged strong relationships with parents and the local university. She has tapped various community resources to provide learning opportunities for staff and students.
In support of her nomination, Colorado Springs District 11 Superintendent Terry Bishop said McCollum is “unique in her endless efforts, enthusiasm, and support for Bates Elementary. She is a dedicated educator whose goal is quality education for her students.”
McCollum has been principal at Bates Elementary School for 10 years. She started her career as a teacher and later served as a school district public information officer in Widefield for eight years. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University in Indiana.
McCollum was selected by her peers in the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals (CAESP), a department of CASE and affiliate of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The National Distinguished Principal program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, NAESP, and VALIC.
The award recognizes successful elementary or middle level principals who have provided outstanding leadership. Selection criteria include evidence of respect from the school community; active community involvement; strong educational leadership; and evidence of maintaining an orderly, purposeful learning environment.
Howard Jay, president of CAESP, noted the high caliber of nominees for this award. “Candidates go through a rigorous nomination and screening process,” said Jay. “The selection committee conducts school visits to see firsthand the evidence of strong leadership. Judy has done a phenomenal job at Bates and is highly regarded by her school community.”
CASE and CAESP will present McCollum with her award at a school district event this spring. She and other CASE award winners also will be recognized at the annual CASE convention this summer in Breckenridge.
As Colorado’s National Distinguished Principal, McCollum will be honored, along with other state winners, in Washington, D.C. next fall.
Established in 1969, the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) is an organization of more than 2,000 school administrators committed to improving student achievement through promoting and building quality education leadership in all Colorado schools.
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