From the Washoe County School District:
The Washoe County School District (WCSD) has announced that three school principals will be named Principals of the Year for 2016: Don Angotti, principal of Grace Warner Elementary School; Roberta Duvall, principal of Cold Springs Middle School; and Lauren Ford, principal of Procter Hug High School, will be recognized by the WCSD Board of Trustees during the Spotlight on Success ceremony on May 3.
Angotti, Duvall, and Ford are being recognized for their dedication to their students as well as their exceptional skills and knowledge. They will represent the District at state-level competitions.
Don Angotti began his career with WCSD in 1995 as a fifth-grade teacher at Spanish Springs Elementary School. He was named assistant principal at Glenn Duncan Elementary School, then served as principal at Stead Elementary School and Mamie Towles Elementary School. He was assigned to Grace Warner Elementary School in 2013, when the school entered the Acceleration Zone.
In nominating Angotti for Principal of the Year, first grade teacher Jenni Valdez wrote, “Mr. Angotti is continually connecting with our students and families before and after school, during recesses, and at Parent Involvement Nights. The students feel comfortable talking to him when they have concerns, or just want to get a high-five… Students know they are safe, secure, and valued at our school as Mr. Angotti connects with them throughout the day. One of my first-graders said, “Mr. Angotti is my best friend!”
“Before the school year started, I did an activity with my staff, asking them to recall the most effective teacher they had when they were in school and to write down why they felt this teacher was effective,” Angotti said. “The common response my staff shared was that this particular teacher established a positive relationship with them and made them feel valued as students. When people are treated with caring and respect, goals are easy to achieve, people feel valued, and most of all, coming to work is enjoyable.”
Roberta Duvall has worked for WCSD since 1989, when she taught English, social studies, and math at Vaughn Middle School. During her career, she has also taught at Clayton Middle School, and served as assistant principal at Pine Middle School before becoming principal at Billinghurst Middle School in 1999. She was the first principal assigned to Cold Springs Middle School when it opened its doors in 2006.
“She is the living example of the CATS Code: courage, attitude, teamwork, and success,” wrote two eighth-grade students who nominated Duvall for Principal of the Year. “She is courageous because she stands up for her students, even if it isn’t the easiest decision. Her upbeat and inspiring attitude encourages us to be the best students we can possibly be… She works with every staff member, parent, and student to ensure everyone has the best education possible. We have learned how to be courageous leaders because of Mrs. Duvall.”
“Highlighting the work at Cold Springs Middle School and promoting our school and community in a positive manner has been exciting for our school,” said Duvall. “I ask students and staff members to have the courage every day to take on challenges they may be nervous or uncomfortable with. These opportunities have forced me to expect the same level of courage that I expect of others… I am so thrilled to have had the privilege of representing my school and district positively.”
Lauren Ford began her career in Illinois as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She joined WCSD as assistant principal at Traner Middle School in 2005, and also served as principal at Traner before becoming principal of Procter Hug High School in 2011. Under Ford’s leadership, the graduation rate for Procter Hug High School rose from 47 percent in 2011 to 73 percent in 2015, a school record.
In her nominating documents for Lauren Ford, a graduating senior at Procter Hug High School wrote, “I am not familiar with every principal, but if this award is based on commitment, compassion, leadership, and a never-ending supply of love and support for the students, then Ms. Ford should win hands-down… She is willing to do anything and everything for her students; I’ve never met anyone who eats, sleeps, and breathes making sure every single student of hers is successful in and after high school.”
“Standing on the [graduation] stage and having the opportunity to shake hands and hug students that many discarded as ‘long shots’ or ‘lost causes’ as they face the world as graduates, was and will continue to be not only a motivational factor in my personal life, but also a guiding principle of my professional life,” said Ford. “Our most impacted, at-risk populations are seeing a wide-open future, where education is not a barrier, but a catapult to a successful life.”
From the Washoe County School District
