MJP –
Tony Thurmond, California’s state superintendent, has sent his congratulations to two outstanding teachers who have been named winners of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership in 2024.
United States Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona honored two school administrators from different school districts for their work in 2024: Paulette Smith of San Leandro Unified School District’s Madison Elementary School and Belinda Averill of Irvine Unified School District’s South Lake Middle School.
Thurmond lauded Smith and Averill as outstanding leaders during the announcement for their work in improving student outcomes, building strong communities, and encouraging educators to reach their full potential.
“Students in these environments are allowed to thrive and feel motivated and equipped to achieve their best,” according to him.
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Educators who believe in the life-altering potential of learning are recognized with the Terrel H. Bell Award. School communities nominate principals in the last phases of the application process for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
On November 7, 2024, during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards event, Smith and Averill will be publicly recognized.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.
