Peers honor Parsons as Principal of the year
LAUREL — Paige Parson’s name is on the plaque declaring her the 2021 Principal of the Year, but she insists that everyone she works with should be listed on the award as well.
“It’s not something I earn by myself,” the LCC Elementary Principal said. “I’m so lucky to have great mentors in administration. My staff make me look good. They do all the heavy lifting and I just sit behind a desk and look good. . . . It’s really a reflection of what we do – of the excellence we produce at LCC.”
The Principal of the Year is awarded by the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals and voted on by fellow colleagues in Region III. She was honored at the end of the year celebration and first found out she won by seeing her name on the flier for the event, she said.
Parsons said she was surprised to be winning the award after only four years as principal but thinks her leadership style may have gotten her noticed.
“I love teacher leadership and bringing out the gifts of other people,” she said. “I truly believe the role of principal is to be backstage. I put out fires and hope other people look good up front, they’re the ones in the trenches doing the day to day up front.”
She said the variety in each workday fuels her passion for creative problem solving. And there’s no doubt that COVID-19 pandemic ratcheted problem-solving to the max this year but there’s also other pressing challenges that Parsons faces head on: poverty, social and emotional issues, and student equity especially for students who come from diverse backgrounds or those with a disability that’s not easily seen.
With about 170 students and 20 staff, Parsons said LCC Elementary feels like home.
“I love the relationships that have been formed there with kids and with staff. You walk through the doors there and we are a family,” she said. “We come together to celebrate. We come together to problem solve and go through tough times with each other. I really do feel like when staff and kids are there, they feel loved and connected.”
Parsons said she will continue to face the challenges each day brings and be an ally and advocate for students moving forward.
“You don’t think about (awards) when you’re in education,” she said. “It’s always nice to be appreciated and recognized for the work you’ve done.”
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