From the Washoe County School District:
The Washoe County School District (WCSD) has chosen three principals who will be named principals of the year for 2015: Joe Ernst, principal of Anderson Elementary School; Gina Leonhard, principal of Yvonne Shaw Middle School; and Jeana Curtis, principal of North Valleys High School were recognized by the WCSD Board of Trustees at the Spotlight on Success ceremony on April 21.
Ernst, Leonhard, and Curtis are being recognized for their exceptional skills, knowledge, and dedication to their students. They will represent WCSD at state-level competitions.
Joe Ernst began his career with WCSD as a teacher, and became assistant principal of Alice Smith Elementary School in 2006. He was named principal of Alyce Taylor Elementary School in 2010, and has served as principal at Anderson Elementary School since 2013. Under his leadership, Anderson Elementary School was the highest-performing Title I elementary school in the District, receiving a four-star
rating on the Nevada Department of Education Performance Framework.
“He is a true inspiration to adults and children alike,” wrote fellow principal Denise DuFrene in nominating Ernst for the recognition. “For most of us, we can only hope to influence a few people in our lifetime. Mr. Ernst has influenced more people than he knows already, and I count myself to be among those who are lucky to know him.”
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award on behalf of the students, families and staff of Anderson Elementary School,” said Ernst. “I am extremely fortunate to work with such dedicated educators and committed families working together to positively impact all our students' lives. This recognition is shared with the many extraordinary people that I've had the fortune to work alongside.”
Gina Leonhard taught science at Mendive Middle School from 1997 to 2004, when she became assistant principal at Yvonne Shaw Middle School in Sparks. In 2010, she became principal at Shaw, where her efforts to help all students succeed is applauded by her school family.
“I have been continually impressed with the professionalism and positive attitude Gina brings to her role as a middle school principal,” said Dr. Troy Parks, superintendent for Area 4, who nominated Leonhard for the award. “She leads and manages one of the largest middle schools in our District with persistence, humor, and a passion for the success of her entire school community. Gina's first priority is the academic and behavioral success of her 1,100 students, and she does not deviate from doing what is in the best interests of her entire student body.”
“I am truly honored to receive this recognition,” Leonhard said. “I have the great privilege of working at an incredible school with a wonderful staff that surrounds me. Every school is a team effort and I am the luckiest principal to have the hardest working administrative team and teachers in the world. I have great support personnel in the entire building—office staff, custodians, and aides. I am so proud of the work that each person in my building is willing to do for students, and I am lucky to work in a building with these teachers, students, and families.”
Jeana Curtis began her education career as a math teacher in Clark County before coming to WCSD in 2001 to serve as assistant principal at Reed High School. She was named principal at North Valleys High School in 2010.
“Even though Jeana is a natural multi-tasker, she would never multi-task when it comes to the people within our learning community,” said Melynda Brown, assistant principal at North Valleys High School, who nominated Curtis. “I can personally attest that our students, parents, staff, and community members benefit every day from the eye contact, smile, emotional and intellectual focus and heart of Jeana Curtis. She is our principal of a lifetime.”
“I'm so honored and touched to receive this recognition,” Curtis said. “We are a family at North Valleys High School and I share this award with everyone at the school from the students, teachers, counselors, support staff and parents. I am truly lucky to love what I do and to be able to work every day with such a dedicated and caring group of people.”
From the Washoe County School District
