Cedar Lane’s James Dallas Named Principal of the Year

Cedar Lane Elementary Principal James Dallas was among the 18 principals recognized last month by The Washington Post with the Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards. In addition 21 teachers received Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Awards.

The awards were given to educators for their commitment to improve classroom learning through creative and quality instruction and their unwavering dedication to strengthening education in the Washington Metropolitan Region, according to The Post. Winners were chosen by each participating public school system from more 100 nominations. Events are planned in May to honor the award winners.

“After almost 30 years, these awards continue to be the only program of its kind in our area and we are thrilled to celebrate the great work of these teachers and principals,” said Katharine Weymouth, publisher of The Washington Post. “The selection process is a true community effort which begins with an open call for nominations and culminates with the school districts’ selection of the winners, adding to the prestige of the awards.”

The Cedar Lane Elementary website offered the following excerpts of nomination letters for Dallas:

• “Mr. Dallas always walks around the school and he knows every student, parent and teacher by name. He teaches us life lessons every time he comes into the classroom and tells us about how he remembers learning the things we are being taught, and what he would do to ‘ace’ the test. He says ‘The test is not hard unless you make it hard.’ It is easy to see how much he cares about the school, the teachers and the students as he is always talking to us and encouraging us.” Fifth-grader Daniel Blose 
• “It is not unusual to see Mr. Dallas in my classroom, crouched down next to one of my little ones, asking them what they are working on. My students have come to expect Mr. Dallas in our classroom, eager to see what great things they are accomplishing and anxious to hear their thoughts. He instills a great sense of pride in my students by setting expectations for quality hard work and thoughtful answers to the question of ‘What are you working on?’” First-grade teacher Debbie Ragan
• “Mr. Dallas always puts kids first. When discussing PTA events he will often say ‘It’s for the children.’ It is not uncommon to find Mr. Dallas standing in the Kiss ’n’ Go line greeting students and opening car doors or sitting in a classroom helping students. Over the summer, I was in a meeting with Mr. Dallas and he asked if I could wait until he took a child home from summer school because the parents didn’t have a vehicle. I felt honored knowing that my children attend a school where there is a principal that cares so deeply about the students and their education.” PTA President Jackie Foster
• “I often wonder if there is more than one of him as he seems to be there when I drop my child off at school, he is impeccably responsive to my e-mails and is often seen escorting a child on a ‘sensory break’ through the halls. He is in and out of the classrooms every time I am there for my weekly hour of volunteer service. I recently asked my first-grader ‘Who is Mr. Dallas?’ He replied by saying, ‘He is the leader of my school.’ I was impressed to hear my son describe Mr. Dallas as a leader, rather than refer to him just as the principal (which may or may not have meaning to him at his age). I went on to ask ‘What do you like about Mr. Dallas?’ My son replied ‘He is always coming into the classroom to be with the kids. When I see him in the hallway, he says hi to me.’ In the words of a first-grader, Mr. Dallas continues to play an active role in the classroom.” Parent Keri Schoenbrun. 
• “Mr. Dallas values our ideas and our thoughts. He has an open dialogue with us. As captain of the Patrols, he asks my opinions about Patrol of the Month. He listens to my concerns. Mr. Dallas also gets ideas from parents at PTA meetings and listens to students who are on Student Council. We did not have a Student Council or elections before Mr. Dallas came. He also started the Student Ambassador program and has a Citizen of the Month ceremony that parents can come to. He wants to recognize all students.” Fifth-grader Alex Schwind 
• “Whether he is vacuuming or explaining learning progressions, Mr. Dallas brings the same amount of dedication and commitment to each task. His work ethic is a wonderful example to students and teachers alike.” ELL teacher Mary A. Nowinski 
• “He encourages teachers to be creative and frequently will show up in a classroom for (an) activity in support of the creative endeavor of the teacher. He engages in the activity himself and participates with enthusiasm and (offers) encouragement towards students who may need some extra support. For example, he partnered himself with a very shy student to complete an encyclopedia scavenger hunt.” Librarian Andria Donnelly
• “Parents of Cedar Lane students love to speak with Mr. Dallas. His door is always open…Parents understand that he truly listens. When a parent concern is brought to his attention, he works diligently to address the concern in a manner that will benefit the student. Mr. Dallas has a strong relationship with all Cedar Lane parents, yet he has formed a very strong relationship with the parents of students with special needs. Parents of students with special needs know that Mr. Dallas understands the definition of a community and they know he truly believes that each and every member of the Cedar Lane community is a valued member.” Assistant Principal Matthew Burns
• “I know high school is hard because it is hard for me to know things. Mr. Dallas has been so nice to me when I graduated from high school. He lets me come to Cedar Lane because he knows I love children…I help kids that need stuff…Most of all, I think he cares about me and he loves me! I love him!” Meredith Leach, a former student at Briar Woods High School who works at Cedar Lane
• “Mr. Dallas allows me to make important decisions about what I think is necessary for the team to maintain a clean, safe building. He trusts me with those decisions and lets me be creative when I feel that I need to be. He supports me and the team. Not only does Mr. Dallas support me and the custodial team at work, he also supported and encouraged me when I was taking classes to further my education. Mr. Dallas worked with me on a schedule that would allow me to attend classes.” Head custodian Paula Ayala

Before coming to Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), Dallas was principal of Hybla Valley Elementary in Fairfax County. He also served as an assistant principal at William Haley Elementary; a staff development specialist; and a teacher at Fairview Elementary, all in Fairfax County. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech. Dallas also obtained his administration certification from Virginia Tech.

See a video here about Dallas.

Recipients of the Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards will have the opportunity to attend a three-day seminar focused on media and crisis communication response training as well as sessions addressing current issues in the field of education including a keynote presentation from Todd Whitaker, one of the nation’s leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership and principal effectiveness. He also wrote the national bestseller What Great Principals Do Differently.

Recipients of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Awards will each receive $3,000.

Distinguished Educational Leadership Award winners:

• James Dallas, Cedar Lane Elementary School (Loudoun County)
• Frances Nussle, Linthicum Elementary School (Anne Arundel County)
• Lisa Piehota, Patrick Henry Elementary School (Arlington County)
• Sylvia Lawson, Northern High School (Calvert County)
• Thomas Weirich, Robert D. Stethem Educational Center (Charles County)
• Michelle Molitor, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School (District of Columbia)
• Liz Whisnant, Mann Elementary School (District of Columbia)
• Robyn Cochran, Dogwood Elementary School (Fairfax County)
• Patricia Comstock, P.B. Smith Elementary School (Fauquier County)
• Debra Myers, Thurmont Primary School (Frederick County)
• Marcia Leonard, Hammond High School (Howard County)
• Ashley Cramp, Baldwin Elementary School (Manassas City)
• Jeanette Dixon, Paint Branch High School (Montgomery County)
• Dierdra Tramel, Frances Fuchs ECC (Prince George's County)
• Amy Ethridge-Conti, Battlefield High School (Prince William County)
• Joan Mele-McCarthy, The Summit School (Private School)
• Lisa Bachner, Leonardtown Middle School (St. Mary's County)
• William Boatwright, A.G. Wright Middle School (Stafford County)

Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award winners:

• Andrea Schlegel, Heritage High School (Loudoun County)
• Sarah Kiyak, T.C. Williams High School (Alexandria City)
• Sarah Jester, Northeast High School (Anne Arundel County)
• Laurell Wiersma, Wakefield High School (Arlington County)
• Jon VanDeventer, Patuxent High School (Calvert County)
• David Bradshaw , Maurice J. McDonough High School (Charles County)
• Julian Hipkins, III, Capitol City Public Charter School - Upper School (District of Columbia)
• Arnita Meekins, Tubman Elementary School (District of Columbia)
• Charles Sabatier, Mount Vernon High School (Fairfax County)
• Karin Tooze, George Mason High School (Falls Church City)
• George Murphy, Fauquier High School (Fauquier County)
• Deborah Jean Moore Winkles, Urbana High School (Frederick County)
• Lisa Young, Atholton Elementary School (Howard County)
• Francie Vandivere, R.C. Haydon Elementary School (Manassas City)
• Dawn Woolley, Cougar Elementary School (Manassas Park)
• Carrie Vieira, Rockville High School (Montgomery County)
• Walter Harley, Oxon Hill High School (Prince Georges County)
• Lydia Stewart, Osbourn Park High School (Prince William County)
• Raymond Nighan, St. John's College High School (Private School)
• Elizabeth Dyson, Great Mills High School (St. Mary's County)
• Nicholas Martino, Mountain View High School (Stafford County)

The Distinguished Educational Leadership Awards were established in 1987 to spotlight principals who create exceptional educational environments for their students. The Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Awards began in 1983 to acknowledge teachers who work hard to ensure children receive a high-quality education.

For more information about the 2012 recipients, visit www.washingtonpost.com/community.