Keeping good news a secret proved to be a challenge for Gwinnett County Public Schools officials. They had been alerted last week that Collins Hill High principal Kerensa Wing has been named 2020 National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
The initial competition pool consisted of principals from middle and high schools representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity.
State and county officials as well as students, faculty, parents and Wing's family set up a surprise announcement Monday at the school. The ceremony with about 500 attendees including the marching band, cheerleaders and school athletes was part of the 2019 celebration of National Principals Month.
Through her professional journey, Gwinnett Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks said he knew Wing had leadership qualities.
“From teacher to assistant principal, I could always tell she was destined for another level,” he said. He added that the personal connections she makes with students, faculty and community have proven to be the winning formula for student success.
Credit: Rebecca Wright
Credit: Rebecca Wright
That's a big part of why she received the national recognition, said Peter Kruszynski, president of the NASSP board of directors.
“It’s important for schools to have a strong leader. Research has shown that strong principal leadership moves schools forward,” he said.
With a shortage of good principals nationwide, NASSP works to show policymakers locally and nationally the importance of allowing school leaders to do their jobs effectively. Kruszynski credited Gwinnett's Principal Pipeline Initiative with growing outstanding leaders. Wing was a 2008 graduate of that program as well as former Meadowcreek High Principal Tommy Welch, who was a 2018 finalist for NASSP's National Principal of the Year.
Shelia Kahrs, former principal at Haymon-Morris Middle School in Barrow County and 2010 NASSP national middle school winner was a mentor to Wing.
“There was nothing I ever asked her to do that she didn’t complete on time,” she said. “She has a strong character and a very approachable style.”
Wing’s effect on her school community isn’t limited to personal connection; she also focuses on advancing curriculum offerings as the educational landscape evolves. Near the start of her time as principal at Collins Hill in 2014, a group of teachers came to Wing to ask about starting a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program. Wing helped teachers with training and planning time to create a program that incorporates project-based learning. In developing the program, the teachers and students worked together to establish a vision and mission, and Wing provided resources and structures to encourage their innovation and creativity.
In accepting the award, Wing thanked her staff and students.
“All of this is possible from the support and training I’ve received,” she said. “It’s the work we do together that brings about success.”
Credit: Rebecca Wright
Credit: Rebecca Wright
Principal of the Year
Kerensa Wing joined Gwinnett County Public Schools in 1990 to teach social studies, serving at Shiloh High School and Collins Hill High School. In 2002, she became an assistant principal at Collins Hill, a position she held until she was named as the first principal of Lanier High School in 2010. In February of 2014, she had a homecoming of sorts as she returned to Collins Hill High as principal.
Wing earned her bachelor’s degree in history and education from Oglethorpe University, going on to earn a master’s degree in Social Studies from Georgia State University and a specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.
She is a graduate of the school district’s 2008 Quality-Plus Leader Academy Aspiring Principal Program. In 2002, she was a finalist for Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year.
Source: Gwinnett County Public Schools
Other Georgia Principal of the Year winners
(Up until 2014, the National Association of Secondary School Principals identified both a middle level principal of the year and a high school principal of the year.)
- Laurie Barron, Smokey Road Middle School in Newnan, 2013 middle level
- Sheila Kahrs, Haymon-Morris Middle School in Barrow County, 2010 national middle level
- Mark Wilson, Morgan County High School, 2008 high school winner
Source: National Association of Secondary School Principals
