AUBURN – Not all educators are willing or able to say what Katherine Q. Grondin had to say Tuesday night, especially after two decades in the field.

“I love going to school every day,” she said. “It’s been a great ride and it’s going to continue to be a great ride.”

Grondin, principal of Sherwood Heights Elementary, was named on Tuesday as Maine’s 2007 Elementary Principal of the Year. She was humble about the achievement. Why not, she said? It’s a career she loves.

Others were less pragmatic, more effusive in their praise of Grondin’s work.

“Her commitment is clear and unequivocal. She is a strong educational leader who has high expectations for school staff, students and herself,” said Maine Principals’ Association Executive Director Richard Durost, who announced the award.

As this year’s principal of the year, Grondin will be honored at the MPA’s spring conference on April 26. She will also be honored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education on Oct. 18-19 in Washington D.C.

“It’s a very big honor to be recognized,” Grondin said. “But my work wouldn’t be a success without the great people I work with.”

Grondin began her educational career in 1986 when she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Southern Maine. She later earned a master’s degree in administration and certificate of advanced study.

Before she took over as principal at Sherwood Heights in 2000, Grondin was assistant principal at the school for the previous two years. She has also served as consulting teacher for leadership in the Auburn School Department.

Before joining Sherwood Heights, Grondin taught at Fairview Elementary in Auburn and from 1986-1988, at Clinton Elementary in that town.

According to the MPA news release, Grondin has been active in community and professional activities. She is a member of the board of the Advocates for Children and serves on the governance subcommittee.

She is also a member of the Collaborative Learning for Successful Schools Steering Committee for Lewiston/Auburn College.

Grondin is the facilitator of the elementary administrative team and is president of the Auburn School Administrators Association.

In 2005, The Maine Music Educators Association named Grondin Outstanding School Administrator.

With all that behind her, Grondin still had her grasp of perspective Tuesday night.

“It’s all about the students,” she said. “It’s always been about the students.”