U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today reaffirmed the important role that school principals play in the education of children. In the statement below, Paige praises 65 outstanding elementary and middle school principals from across the nation and from U.S. schools abroad, who are being honored tonight as 2003 National Distinguished Principals by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The ceremony will be held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington.

"It takes more than credentials to become an outstanding principal. It takes good, strong leadership; tenacity; integrity; dedication; and commitment. It also takes compassion.

"Our young people look to you as more than administrators. In you, they see role models—individuals whom they can aspire to become. They also see someone who cares enough to hold them accountable for learning, achieving and becoming the best that they can be.

"You are the vanguard of the effort to raise student achievement and to help us achieve the essential goals of No Child Left Behind. You are on the front lines, fighting the good fight and working to help ensure that our children get the education they need to grow up and become successful young men and women. This is your life's work.

"And as many of you already know, you'll never become rich by being an educator. But the rewards far outweigh the monetary value. There is no price tag that can be put on positively influencing children's lives or helping them become more than they ever dreamed of becoming.

"Many of the children you see in your schools each day are fighting the odds. Some have been told—or otherwise lead to believe—that they couldn't achieve; they weren't good enough; their families were too poor; and no one cared. But you have the power to make a difference, to change lives—one student at a time. And clearly, you are doing that.

"The children in your schools are counting on you to continue to believe in them, to challenge them and to give them strong roots so that they can grow and flourish in the world.

"I do believe that children are our future. If we teach and guide them well, they will lead the way. I applaud each of you for doing that. On behalf of President Bush, this great nation, parents and students, I say, thank you."

###

Top

Back to November 2003