SPRINGDALE -- Principal Justin Swope got a surprise Thursday when he pulled up to Lee Elementary School and found teachers, staff members and district administrators waiting for him outside the building.
They were there to celebrate him being named Arkansas' elementary principal of the year, an honor bestowed by the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals.
Cindy Covington, principal of Childers Knapp Elementary School, presented Swope a congratulatory sign. Superintendent Jim Rollins bumped elbows with him.
"I was definitely surprised," Swope said. "I was honored to have so many people come out to celebrate. It's humbling, to say the least."
Swope is in his ninth year as Lee Elementary's principal. Before that he was an assistant principal at Jones Elementary School for three years. He moved to Springdale from Elkins, where he was first a teacher, then an elementary school principal.
"I'm proud of my school and proud of the hard work of our kids and staff," he said.
Swope, 43, grew up in Gravel Ridge, now a part of Sherwood. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Arkansas and his master's and specialist's degrees from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Administrators must be nominated for the award. The association then sends each nominee an application that inquires about what kind of practices are in place at their school, Swope said.
Metro on 05/22/2020