District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray and District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Kaya Henderson yesterday announced the 2013 DCPS Principal and Teacher of the Year. The Principal of the Year is Abdullah Zaki of Kelly Miller Middle School. The Teacher of the Year is Kathy Hollowell-Makle, a kindergarten Teacher at Simon Elementary School.
“This is my one of my favorite times of the year – when we get to brag about the amazing accomplishments of our educators. Principal Zaki and Ms. Hollowell-Makle are outstanding educators who give their all to their students,” said Henderson. “Principal Zaki has transformed Kelly Miller Middle School through his unyielding determination to his students, his teachers and the community. Ms. Hollowell-Makle makes her kindergarteners love coming to school and she sets the foundation for their future success.”
“It’s a very exciting day for the District and for DCPS as we celebrate these educators who represent the best of DCPS ,” said Mayor Gray. “They embody what all educators should strive to be – they set a high bar for their students and they work hard every single day. I am so grateful to them for their commitment to the children of this city and I congratulate them on this well-deserved acknowledgement.”
“Ms. Hollowell-Makle is a people person and enjoys working with all students,” said Adelaide Flamer, principal of Simon Elementary School. “Her interactions with students highlights her interest and persistence in moving students toward success. She is an asset to the staff of Simon Elementary School and a jewel to her students and their families.”
“Principal Zaki is deserving of this award based on his dedication to student achievement,” said Mark King, DCPS Instructional Superintendent responsible for middle schools. “His determination and focus on student achievement is not matched by many administrators that I have been exposed to in my over 20 year educational career.”
DCPS will celebrate Principal Zaki, Ms. Hollowell-Makle and other highly effective educators at the fourth-annual Standing Ovation for DC Teachers<http://www.standingovationfordcteachers.org/> at the Kennedy Center on November 4, 2013. The star-studded event will celebrate the over 1,200 DCPS educators who earned ratings of highly effective during the 2012-2013 school year. Awards will be presented to the winners of the Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Leadership award winners, to be announced later this month. DCPS principals will also be in attendance, as well as celebrities, community members, stakeholders and DCPS supporters.
