Principal Of South Phila. Elementary School Named 'Best In Education'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Top honors for the principal of a South Philadelphia elementary school, who was named "Best in Education" by a national organization that evaluates educational programs.
It's no secret in the Andrew Jackson School community, that Principal Lisa Ciaranca Kaplan is pretty special.
"I think the ability to bring people together and she's a good leader and obviously she gets a lot of things done."
That's how Leia, whose son is in kindergarten at the school described the principal, who was chosen as this year's Escalante-Gradillas Award winner by the Best Schools.
Ciaranca Kaplan says she was overwhelmed and re-energized with the recognition, but says the award is a result of a highly dedicated staff and community amid continuous cuts in the school budget.
"Been a lot of love, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and a lot of hard work and determination going into making sure that we do not let our students feel this crisis."
And that effort has also been recognized by parents like Brian, whose daughter is a first grader at Andrew Jackson.
"Her attentiveness to the students, introduction of new programs has been phenomenal, but her general caring of the students and what's happening at the school has really been the number one thing so far."
Ciaranca Kaplan offered this advice to other principals in the city dealing with shrinking budgets.
"Try to maintain your passion for the work, and open the door to opportunities that come your way. And I think really that, networking, and relationship peace has really made Jackson what it is today."
Among the 10-finalists for the award were two other principals from Philadelphia - Dr. Stacy R. Gill-Phillipps of West Philadelphia Charter Elementary School, and Principal Anthony Majewski of Hill-Freedom World Academy.
