Little Red Schoolhouse Awards

The Florida Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals (FAEMSP) is again proud to announce the sponsorship of the annual "Little Red Schoolhouse Award Program". Such programs make education for our Florida students engaging, challenging and meaningful experiences. This program gives recognition to a maximum of eight schools with exemplary initiatives, efforts, or accomplishments, and one school may be selected for the “John Gardner Award Designation”, which comes with a $500 credit to attend either the FASA or NAESP Conference and other amenities. All award recipients will receive recognition and a letter suitable for framing for their school. Schools may be awarded as a “school leadership team”, a specific team of individuals, or the administrative staff.

If you have an initiative either “school-wide” or a “niche initiative” that you have helped lead and facilitate that can be documented as successful to submit for recognition, and to share with other Florida elementary and middle school principals in FAEMSP/FASA, please complete the attached streamlined application for this prestigious, statewide recognition program. Please observe all guidelines indicated on the attached sheet(s).

CRITERIA TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

• Elementary or middle school principal must be a current member of FAEMSP/FASA
• Initiative is school-wide OR “niche-focused” during the 2024-2025 school year
• Initiative must reflect a unique and creative way to address and meet the needs of students
• Whether it be a grade level, team, or school wide, students must show participation and benefit must be able to be proven through survey, rubric results, test data or “other” tangible methods
• The application is enhanced if it is an initiative that has portability factors for other schools
• It should be a specific school initiative rather than a collection of school activities
• One application, per school

JUDGING
Submissions will be awarded points based on their uniqueness, originality, implementation, degree of staff and/or community involvement, longevity during the school year(s), and “success” in addressing needs of learners. A rubric will be used by the committee. Please keep your application concise, but give sufficient information to describe your initiative, methods used to engage the learners, and the effectiveness or result.

CATEGORIES FOR SUBMISSIONS
Choose an area from the categories below in which you would like your project judged: 

• Principal as Leader: The principal leads, manages, and communicates the instructional program to staff, students and parents.
• Clearly Stated Vision and Mission: The school's vision/mission is clearly articulated and understood.
• Student Performance/High Expectations: The staff believes, demonstrates and promotes the belief that all students can achieve at a high level.
• Assessment and Monitoring: Student academic progress is monitored frequently with a variety of measures. Regular feedback is provided.
• Instructional Delivery: Teachers use engaging and effective teaching practices.
• Safe, Caring and Orderly Environment: The school's atmosphere is orderly, caring, purposeful and respectful to staff and learners.
• Parent and Community Involvement: Parents support the school's mission and play an active role in its achievements. The school is an inviting place for parents/families.
• Professional Development: Professional development for all faculty and staff supports the instructional program.
• School Culture: The school's culture (climate) is responsive to and supports the needs of the students, parents and community.

Deadlines

2024 Award Winners

2023 Award Winners

“Stronger through a Community: A PLC of Self-Contained ESE Teachers” 
Dr. Donna Kelley, Principal 
Northwood Elementary School  

“Future Knights ” 
Seth Daub, Principal 
OCPS ACE

2022 Award Winners

“Bee-yond Books” 
Dr. Annmarie Dilbert, Principal 
Crosspointe Elementary School  

“#CougarsLEAD” 
Justin Faulkner, Principal 
Green Cove Springs Junior High School