BATESVILLE — Each year, the professional organizations for the state’s educational administrators recognize principals from around Arkansas for their good work. For the first time, two principals from the same school district were recognized in the same year. Southside Public School’s middle school principal, Dion Stevens, was named the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrators Principal of the Year, and the high school principal, Roger Ried, was named Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year.
The two principals did not know this honor was coming when they arrived at a district-wide assembly May 22. Both said they were surprised and humbled by the awards, and Stevens and Ried recognized
how the awards highlight the hard work and dedication of the faculty, staff and students in the Southside Public School District.
“It was definitely a surprise and a great honor,” Stevens said of being named the AAMLA Principal of the Year. “It shows that my teachers are working very hard every day. I’m one person in a district, and none of this can happen without everyone doing their jobs every day.”
Southside Middle School had a great year overall, Stevens said. In the 2014-15 school year, the school focused on helping students who were struggling, giving students new opportunities and encouraging positive behavior.
“We really focused on our RTI [Response to Intervention] and intervention systems,” Stevens said. “We try to make sure we serve the kids who are struggling. … We also had a new enrichment program that had things like outdoor activities, agriculture, woodworking. They really enjoyed that this year.”
The middle school also focused on PBIS — Positive Behavior Interventions and Support. Stevens said his staff participated in PBIS training so they could help students focus on positive behavior, and the program made an impact this year.
“My teachers just really took hold of that,” he said. “It was something they took over right from the start. … It really takes everybody.”
Ried said that he was touched by the show of support and appreciation he witnessed at the May 22 assembly. He makes it a point to tell his students that he loves them, and they reciprocated with a standing
ovation in recognition of Ried being named AASSP Principal of the Year.
“My first thought after the surprise was looking at these kids standing and clapping and being happy for me. That was very touching,” he said. “It’s very humbling. There are so many principals out there that do their work every day that deserve the award as well.”
This year’s focus for Southside High School was becoming a conversion charter school. With this distinction, the school will partner with the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville to offer college classes to high school students.
“We are now a conversion charter high school and that has been our focus this year from an administrative perspective,” Ried said. “That process is tedious but very well worth it.”
Of course, like Stevens, Ried said the real recognition should go to the staff and students. He said that the “bread and butter” of the school happened in the classrooms, and he is proud of his staff and students for all of their hard work throughout the year.
“I don’t teach a single class,” Ried said. “This is an award that reflects on what the teachers do and what the students do.”
Staff writer Angela Spencer can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.