Dr. Donna Newman, principal of Garner Middle School in San Antonio’s North East Independent School District, received the Terrel H. Bell award for Outstanding School Leadership at the 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.
The Terrel H. Bell Award, named for the former U.S. Secretary of Education, recognizes outstanding school leaders and the vital role they play in overcoming challenging circumstances.

Principals nominated for this award are school leaders committed to fostering successful teaching and learning at their schools. They are principals who do whatever it takes to help their students meet high standards and are committed to the notion that in educating America’s children, failure is no option.

The late Secretary Terrel H. Bell held education as his highest priority, trusting that all students would find it their personal key to success as he had. Principals chosen as Bell award recipients have transformed their schools. They have set high standards and expectations for all, including themselves. They have shattered the false stereotypes that students living in poverty or with limited English proficiency cannot achieve at high levels. Their vision and collaborative leadership styles have produced outstanding results for all their students regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. They have shown that with effective leadership and teaching and a conviction that all students can learn, schools are powerful, joyful places that generate energy in their communities.

Newman’s selection was based on the school’s application for the 2009 NCLB/Blue Ribbon School Award. The selection panel stated “Dr. Donna Newman is an outstanding school leader who inspires, guides and sustains others; she is a leader willing to do whatever it takes to meet students’ needs. She shows that with effective leadership and teaching and a conviction that all students can learn makes schools powerful, joyful places that generate energy in their communities.”

Garner Middle School was named a Blue Ribbon School this fall. Newman was one of eight principals across the country to receive the Terrel H. Bell Award this year.

Page last modified on 11/16/2009.