RESERVE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District has announced this year’s Principal of the Year award winners, citing each recipient’s leadership skills and ability to advance learning on their campuses.

Elementary Principal of the Year is Kendria Spears, principal of Fifth Ward Elementary; Middle School Principal of the Year is Allison Cupit, principal of LaPlace Middle School; and High School Principal of the Year is Erica Merrick, principal of West St. John High School.

Superintendent Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., said each winner will advance to the state’s regional level to compete for an opportunity to become a state finalist.

“We are so very proud of our principals and the leadership they provide for their respective schools and this system,” said Millet. “We congratulate them on jobs well done, and we want to encourage them to continue to seek ways to foster learning and academic improvement on their campuses.”

Kendria Spears

Since taking over as principal of her school in 2008, Spears has taken the initiative to provide extra support for her staff through professional development and extra instruction for her students during the summer, on Saturdays, before school and after school.

Each year under Spears leadership, Fifth Ward’s School Performance Score has shown growth.

“Each day I look forward to sharing ideas and having meaningful dialogue on how my staff and I can work together to have our students succeed,” Spears said. “I am constantly challenging myself to foster a school culture that stresses academics, responsibility and a shared community.”

Spears said she is most inspired by her mother to do her job.

“My role model is someone I can go to for advice and know that I will receive words of wisdom. I’m never judged on the past, but assisted in making decision for my future,” Spears said. “That’s the type of inspiration I hope to be to my students.”

Allison Cupit

Through extension interaction with parents, administrators and students, Cupit has fostered a positive, cooperative atmosphere to promote success at LaPlace Middle School, which is evidenced by her school’s consistently high performing School Performance Scores.

“I believe you must present yourself positively with any situation and be a good listener,” Cupit said, noting that that she has the “luxury” of troubleshooting each day with a variety of people, including parents who stop in or call, and teachers whom she speaks with during walkthroughs, bus duty, and management meetings.

Cupit said taught for 15 years in a variety of positions before becoming principal in 2008. “I have always loved change and have been willing to embrace challenges,” she said. “I knew that becoming a principal would mean I would face something different every day, but I also knew that would be exciting. So, the job has been a great fit for me.”

Cupit said she Superintendent Courtney Millet has inspired her to become a better educational leader. She noted that Millet served as principal of her school prior to her taking the job, and she said Millet has presented her with numerous opportunities to improve her leadership skills.

“I can’t think of a better job. If I weren’t doing what I’m doing today, then I would make sure I found a way to work with children,” she said.

Erica Merrick

Merrick has had a positive impact on West St. John High since becoming principal in 2007. She says being approachable has helped her foster an atmosphere of cooperation that has led to her school’s academic improvements.

“It is very important that my students feel as though they can come up to me. I do not want to be seen as ‘that woman in the principal’s office,’” Merrick said. “At the same time, it’s not my job to make friends or make everyone happy. I know that the decisions I make should always be based on what’s best for our students.”

She said she collaborates with her teachers through curriculum planning and challenges her staff to be active learners. She also strives to ensure her campus is safe and orderly, which is important for learning.

“The principal and teachers have to work together and neither can be successful without the other,” Merrick said.

She said she continues to be inspired by her grandparents who adopted her at a young age. She said they instilled values of wisdom, love and faith, and they encouraged her to advance her education even though neither of them had graduated from high school.

“They were smart enough to teach me the importance of getting an education, no matter what,” Merrick said. “I hope what I do can inspire my students to do the same.”