Kelly's Tressie Armstrong Honored as 2011 Elementary Principal of the Year

l Principal Tressie Armstrong has been named Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) San Diego/Imperial Counties Region 18’s 2011 Elementary School Principal of the Year.

She will be recognized at the ACSA-San Diego County Office of Education School Board Association “Honoring Our Own” Gala April 28, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.

writes is a press release, "as a longtime educator, including her service as a teacher from 1980-2006, Armstrong understands the educational process from an instructor’s point of view. Having attained the position of assistant principal in 2005 and principal in 2008, she maintains a focus on continual staff improvement. She draws upon her three years of experience as a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) liaison to mentor teachers in a positive, results-getting way."

CUSD District Superintendent John A. Roach, Ed.D, says that Armstrong models a standard of behavior and attitude that all children can succeed. He notes, “She balances a commitment to academics with a deep empathy to children of all levels and needs. She uses her own pet, Rosie the Reading Dog, to help children learn to read and to make a special connection to students with disabilities. Even severely autistic children who experience extreme difficulties communicating can nevertheless ‘read’ to Rosie.”

Armstrong has presided over Kelly during challenging times, including some Carlsbad residents’ cancer concerns, which were proven to be unfounded, and an , in which two students were wounded but fortunately no one was killed.

 Armstrong says she was “stunned” to learn about the recognition. She states, “Education is not merely a career. For me, it is a calling. If we want to make the world better, we have to choose love over hate and courage over fear; not just say it, but do it. And we have to teach children to do the same. Carlsbad is an incredible community with outstanding schools. I'm super proud to represent our District and very excited to receive the award. But it's about all of us working together for one common cause: our children. This award is for them. Kelly Cougars: You are much loved!”

 For more information on ACSA and the “Honoring Our Own” awards, please visit acsaregion18.org and click on “Awards.” For information on Carlsbad Unified School District, please visit carlsbadusd.k12.ca.us.