Community Relations
For Immediate Release
July 23, 2012
Contact:
Cass Cannon
Community Relations Specialist
Charlottesville City Schools
434-245-2962
Cass Cannon@ccs.k12.va.us
Media Release
CHS Principal Named Outstanding Principal by UVA Curry School Foundation
2012 Outstanding Alumni Awards Presented by the Curry School Foundation
The Curry School of Education Foundation has selected alumni to receive honors for their exemplary accomplishments, based on nominations from their colleagues:
Outstanding Principal
Dr. Thomas Taylor Thomas Taylor (M.Ed. ’06, Ed.D. ’10 Admin & Supv)
Charlottesville High School, Charlottesville, VA
Thomas became principal at Charlottesville High in 2008 and since that time has proven himself to be “an outstanding leader, an agent of change for the right reasons and in the right ways, and a courageous educator doing a very tough job,” according to Terri Perkins, Walker Upper Elementary School principal.
In his first three years, the on-time graduation rate increased from 74.6% to 83.8%, the drop-out rate decreased from 17.8% to 5.1%, student grade level retentions decreased by half, and minority enrollment in Advanced Placement classes tripled. “If leadership can be defined as being able to get people to do what they otherwise may not be apt to accomplish or take on, Thomas holds incredible potential to lead,” Perkins said, “Many people rose to the occasion to help CHS improve, but it was Thomas who asked them to stand up.” He is also serving a term on the Region Ten Community Services Board and is chair-elect of all state Group AA schools for the Virginia High School League.
Dr. Taylor will be honored at a special dinner in October.
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