Charleston -- The West Virginia Center for Professional Development (WVCPD) has named 19 West Virginia principals and assistant principals as 2009 Principals’ Leadership Academy (PLA) Distinguished Scholars. These instructional leaders illustrated exemplary participation and work during last year's Principals’ Leadership Academy for New Principals. As a result, they will be recognized during a dinner in their honor on September 15, 2009 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston. First Lady Gayle Manchin will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, which is held in conjunction with the 2009 - 2010 PLA for New Principals.

PLA is one of WVCPD’s five core programs. Each year new school administrators are required by state code to attend academy sessions in order to strengthen their skills and abilities as school leaders. Based on the concept of continuous improvement, the Center requires each participant to complete and implement an action plan at his or her school. These plans address an area of specific need, and can have a dramatic impact on student and school performance. The new administrators benefit from the guidance of team leaders and support of team members by communicating with them in person and online via resources such as a custom-designed wiki.

“We are very pleased with the work of our Distinguished Scholars and the projects that they submitted,” said Dr. Dixie Billheimer, chief executive officer, WVCPD. “They have demonstrated the level of leadership and expertise necessary to have a positive impact on school operations and student achievement,” she said. Education and the way students learn continue to change, and principals play a critical role in ensuring schools keep pace with this change. “Preparing principals for this new generation of learners is something that the Center takes very seriously and the Academy is an effective part of that preparation,” she continued.

The 19 Distinguished Scholars will receive $750 to support continued professional development at their schools and an award for their accomplishments during the dinner. The Academy consists of three, two-day sessions beginning with the September meeting (15th-16th) at the Charleston Civic Center, continuing in December with a meeting at the Days Hotel in Braxton County, and concluding in April 2010 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown.

2009 PLA Scholars

Melinda Akers Buckhannon Academy Elementary School Upshur County

Ann Behrens West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind Hampshire County

Diane Betler Pickens Elementary/High School Randolph County

Clinton Burch Spring Valley High School Wayne County

Charles Carr West Virginia Industrial Home for Youth Harrison County

Jay Chambers Gilmer County High School Gilmer County

Krista DeVaughn Tyler Consolidated High School Tyler County

Rhonda Donohoe Andrew Jackson Middle School Kanawha County

Suzanne Elliott Park Middle School Raleigh County

Toi Hebden Mineral County Technical Center Mineral County

Bethany King Summersville Middle School Nicholas County

Florisha McGuire Mount View High School McDowell County

Ric Morrone Tolsia High School Wayne County

Ronald Reedy Sissonville High School Kanawha County

Lori Scott Lumberport Middle School Harrison County

Kelly Waggoner Ritchie County High School Ritchie County

Jack Waugaman Blennerhassett Middle School Wood County

Kelli Wilson Mineral County Alternative School Mineral County

Jeffrey Woofter Oak Glen High School Hancock County