Myrtle Place Elementary’s Catherine Bricelj among nine to receive Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership
(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The U.S. Department of Education today announced that Lafayette Parish School System principal
Catherine Bricelj is a recipient of the
Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership for 2022. The Myrtle Place Elementary principal is one of nine school leaders from the 2022 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools to earn the honor.
Under Bricelj’s leadership, Myrtle Place Elementary has grown from a school letter grade of C to an A. Bricelj emphasizes strong relationships, building trust, and focusing on what is needed to support everyone at her school. Myrtle Place is one of seven Louisiana schools named 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The school earned that national honor for its exemplary growth.
“School leaders have the opportunity to transform their campus, and Principal Bricelj embraced her role,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “She raised the bar for students and educators, then helped them achieve those higher expectations.”
Named for the second U.S. secretary of education, Terrel H. Bell, the Bell Award honors school leaders who are committed to education as a powerful and liberating force in people’s lives. The award is part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Principals are nominated by their school communities during the final stages of the National Blue Ribbon Schools application process.
The U.S. Department of Education, together with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, present the Bell Awards to principals of National Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding work and the vital role they play in guiding their students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances.
All nine school leaders from the 2022 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony Nov. 3 in Washington.
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