In one school year -180 days – Rosemont Elementary School principal Patty Harrelson elevated her school’s grade from D to A. The hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed by the state Department of Education. Harrelson and 17 other principals from schools around the state are district winners of the Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership. Within a few weeks, three finalists will be named, and one will be the Florida Principal of the Year for Outstanding Leadership.
Harrelson moved to Rosemont Elementary as principal from Lake Gem Elementary at the start of the 2010-2011 school year. That year the school was rated A by the state leaving the memory of a D grade in the distant past. As to her style of leadership, Harrelson says, “I believe as the instructional leader I must know what I am asking of my teachers. I must have “walked their walk” in order to be effective. In addition, I must set the vision for what I am asking them to do.”
Harrelson has been with the district for 20 years. This is her fifth year as a principal. She elevated from a classroom teacher at Mollie Ray Elementary for 10 years to a Curriculum Resource Teacher at Lake Gem Elementary, then became assistant principal at Lake Gem, and finally principal until her move to Rosemont.
New this school year, Rosemont offers Rosemont Parent University. One night each month parents attend school and learn how to better assist their children with their studies. It could be learning math and reading games one night or creating items to use at home.
Harrelson will join her fellow district winners in Tallahassee in February for a roundtable discussion on education. The statewide winner will be announced sometime after February.
