Janis Wingate Stewart, principal of Meadowview Elementary School, was recently named Alabama’s 2005 National Distinguished Principal.

“This is not an ‘I won’ award,” said Stewart. “This is definitely one that all of us at Meadowview won.

This recognition is for all of the hard work by the teachers, staff, and students of Meadowview.”

Presented by the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA), the award was given in honor of her leadership and service to students, school personnel, and the community.

“This is a prestigious award that has been given to a very deserving leader in our school district,” said Superintendent James H. Carter.

“Janis Stewart provides quality leadership for her school, faculty and staff, with the needs of her students always as the focus.

AAESA could not have selected a better recipient for Alabama. ”

Stewart has achieved much since becoming principal of Meadowview Elementary in 1998.

In 2003, she was named the Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educator for Alabama, the National Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educator, and the CIBA/CESI National Elementary Science Principal of the Year.

This year, she was presented with a plaque from the Selma City School Board and with a resolution passed by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Stewart is the president of AAESA District VI and the Elementary Director of the Alabama Science Teachers Association.

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“Mrs. Stewart is very deserving of this prestigious award,” said DeAndres Inge, a third grade teacher.

According to Stewart, the positive gains that have been made at the school are the result of the “great support from our parents, members of the community, and our local businesses and industries”.

Meadowview Elementary was named a Best Practices Site by the State Department of Education, and serves as a demonstration site for the Alabama Reading Initiative and best practices in science and environmental studies.

The school was named Alabama’s First Project Learning Tree School and is classified as an Outdoor Classroom and Wildlife Habitat Site by the Alabama Wildlife Association.

In addition, its yearly Earth Day Celebration was named the BEST Environmental Program in the state by the Alabama Association of Environmental Educators.

“Meadowview, under her leadership, is definitely on the cutting edge of innovative instruction,” said Carter. “Mrs. Stewart, with her involvement in a variety of activities – especially in the areas of science and the environment on the local and state level, constantly promotes and supports the total program of Selma City schools.

I want to congratulate her, and hope that this award will be a stepping stone for other leaders in our region to be recognized for their role in their schools and in their districts.”

Established in 1984 as an event to honor exemplary elementary and middle school principals, the National Distinguished Principals Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Each year, one principal is chosen from each state.

In November, Stewart, and the honorees from other states will be recognized during an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. During this ceremony, the National Distinguished Principal will be named.