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Published on: 11/10/2008
Last Visited: 5/25/2009
Payne Named Texas High School Principal of the Year
Steve Payne, executive principal of Allen High School and the Lowery Freshman Center, has been selected the 2008-2009 Texas High School Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.
Payne will now compete for the National Principal of the Year award sponsored by MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals.
"This award is shared," Payne said.
"If I happen to have the title, then that means that we are the school of the year, the teachers of the year, the district of the year and have the parents of the year.
I accept this award on behalf of the students, staff and community."
Payne became eligible for the state award after he was selected as the Region X Outstanding High School Principal of the Year.
Administrators are nominated for the region award and chosen by their peers within the region.
Nominations are based on exemplary performance and outstanding leadership.
In order to compete in the state competition, regional winners are required to complete an extensive application process that includes three essays and letters of recommendation.
After the applications have been evaluated, three finalists are invited to one-on-one interviews.
Payne said the interviewers asked him questions about challenges he faces, how he encourages collaborative leadership and how he fosters support.
"It was just blind speaking from the heart," Payne said, since the finalists didn't know in advance what topics would be covered.
...
Everyone ought to take pride in this," Payne said.