HENRICO, Va., Sept. 19, 2023 — Principals across Henrico County Public Schools have been lauded for their commitment to their students, faculty members and community. Now they’ll have the chance to be recognized for their hard work and dedication in the 2023-24 REB Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership.
The REB Awards, established by the REB Foundation and Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, honor outstanding principals across the Richmond area every year. Eligible are principals from Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and the city of Richmond, and one nominee from each school division will be honored.
Students, parents and any other impacted member of the school community are invited to nominate a principal who has gone above and beyond to create an exceptional educational environment — principals may not nominate themselves. The honorees will receive $20,000 to be used for school initiatives as well as an unrestricted $10,000 cash grant. The runner-up will also receive $10,000 for use toward school projects.
Last year’s HCPS winner was Karin Castillo-Rose, principal of Henrico High School, who pledged her award toward the mental health and well-being of her student population via classes, support groups and collaborative gardens. Kevin Schatz, the runner-up from Colonial Trail Elementary School, was able to build a cricket facility accessible to all of Colonial Trail’s students, including those who use wheelchairs.
The Community Foundation is seeking nominations of candidates who meet the following criteria:
- Have served as principal of their school for at least three years.
- Effectively manage and promote excellence in education.
- Demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment.
- Inspire their students and are advocates for their school and faculty.
- Encourage team spirit.
- Foster cooperation between the school and the community.
- Maintain dialogue with students, parents, faculty and staff.
To find out more and to nominate a principal, go to cfrichmond.org/Grantseekers/REB-Awards-for-Distinguished-Educational-Leadership. Nominations must be submitted online by 5 p.m. on Nov. 2, 2023. Hard copies or nominations submitted via email or fax will not be accepted.
As part of their application, nominators should upload a one- to two-page letter describing the nominee’s distinguished educational leadership. Nominators may also upload as many as three one-page letters of support. Award recipients will be announced in March 2024.
For questions regarding nominations, please contact Tracie Weston, director of HCPS’ Department of Professional Learning and Leadership, at taweston@henrico.k12.va.us.