Savannah-Chatham County Public School System recognizes principals of the year

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System officials recognized three principals as the district’s Elementary, Middle and High School Principals of the Year during a ceremony; speakers described the honorees as transformational leaders who emphasize teamwork and student-centered work.

The awards highlight principals’ roles in shaping school culture and supporting staff and students, district presenters said. The elementary principal of the year, whose name was not specified in the transcript, said the honor reflects a team effort: “Everything we do here, we do it with a team concept. And so for a win for me means that we all win because at some point, then my staff, my parents, my children, they have all helped to make impacts on how we operate here as a school.”

District presenters introduced the middle-level winner as Dr. Wells, calling the recipient “a transformational leader, a champion for students, a role model for us all to follow.” In remarks attributed to Dr. Wells the honoree said leadership is by example and grounded in students: “It’s because of the students. It’s because of the staff. I’m hard, but I love them and they know I do.”

The high school principal of the year, Alfred McGuire, spoke about the personal importance of the school and the responsibility he feels toward students and staff. “This school means so much. I mean, being able to work with the great people that are here, being able to be around such an amazing group of students, this school is a special place,” McGuire said. He added that being part of a team that invests time and talent in students’ development is “powerful.”

Remarks in the transcript returned repeatedly to two themes: leadership grounded in daily example and the work of a school as a collective effort among principals, staff, families and students. The transcript does not specify the ceremony date, the elementary principal’s name, or whether the award includes any stipend or administrative change.

District presenters asked the audience to join in celebrating the honorees; the record shows no formal board action, vote or policy change associated with the recognitions.