MONMOUTH – Deborah Emery, a Cottrell School principal known for putting children above all else, has been named Maine’s outstanding elementary principal for 2006.
Two teachers nominated Emery, saying the veteran educator is passionately dedicated to students and supportive of staff members.
“She always makes you want to do your best,” said reading teacher Lorraine Ravis, one of the two women who nominated Emery for 2006 Elementary National Distinguished Principal of the Year.
The Maine Principal’s Association presented the award and will honor Emery at its annual banquet April 27.
Emery, 52, taught kindergarten in Massachusetts before becoming a preschool director in Wayne in Kennebec County in the 1980s and a teacher at the Winthrop Grade School in the 1990s. She was appointed principal of Cottrell School, Monmouth’s elementary school, in 1999.
At Cottrell, she oversees more than two dozen staff members and 270 students from kindergarten through grade four. She has worked to improve teacher training, starting an after-school class for teachers, among other initiatives. When federal law dramatically increased testing in 2001, she began urging staff members to remember students and place their welfare above test scores.
“The fact is, children come first,” Emery said.
Emery often places students first in her own life. When a school bus driver was forced to take both elementary and high school students home during a bad snowstorm, Emery rode along to help with the kids. She didn’t return until evening.
“Deb Emery epitomizes the educational leader,” said Superintendent Stephen Cottrell.
Emery was one of three finalists for the award. A panel of former winners chose her after reviewing recommendations and visiting Cottrell School for half a day.
As part of the award, Emery will travel to Washington, D.C., in the fall to meet other leading elementary school principals. She will automatically be entered into a national principal of the year competition.
Word of Emery’s award started filtering through the close-knit community last week. She received flowers from several people on Friday. She’s planning a dinner to celebrate with her staff.
But while Emery is excited about the award, she considers it more than a personal honor.
“Its been a nice opportunity to showcase our school,” she said.
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