Cindy Cook named distinguished principal
Minot principals won awards at the North Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals conference earlier this month.
Cindy Cook, principal at Sunnyside Elementary, won the 2016-17 National Distinguished Principal Award for North Dakota.
“The culture in Sunnyside Elementary School is championed by a leader who stresses that students need to be held to high expectations regardless of social economic status,” according to a press release. “Feeling sorry for low performing children does not fix the problem, but rather high expectations produce results and that is the leadership philosophy at Sunnyside. Staff members see (Cook) as a front runner with the implementation of new initiatives that benefit the overall academic performance of all students.”
The press release notes that staff morale is positive at Sunnyside and people praise Cook’s upbeat, positive attitude and leadership style. Cook works hard to provide extra opportunities for children and their parents and seeks out community support.
Cook will represent North Dakota at the National Distinguished Principal Gala in Washington, D.C., in October.
Kendo Carlson, principal at Washington Elementary, won the 2016-2017 Bell Ringer award for making a difference and doing good.
Wayne Strand, principal at North Plains Elementary at Minot Air Force Base, won the Service to Children Award designed to honor individuals who are retiring or leaving our profession and for their years of service to the education of children in our state and for their professional involvement in NDAESP.