Newtown High School Principal Lorrie Rodrigue was named on April 19 as the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) 2017 High School Principal of the Year.The Newtown Bee.

"It was so exciting and humbling to be recognized and honored in this way," said Dr Rodrigue later told

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, announced the news.

According to CAS Assistant Executive Director Karen Packtor, CAS recognizes a high school, middle school, and an elementary school principal each year with a Principal of the Year award. Dr Rodrigue was chosen for the high school category award and she was also chosen to represent Connecticut in the competition for the National Principal of the Year, which is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASS).

According to CAS, the Principal of the Year Program was established to bring recognition to exemplary school principals and to increase public awareness of the critical role that principals play in the education of youth.

After 25 years in the field of education, Dr Rodrigue said earning the title was a "great feeling," especially in Newtown, "a place I just love so much." Dr Rodrigue explained she started her educational career in Newtown.

According to CAS, the Principal of the Year award is sponsored by the Connecticut Association of Schools, and state principals of the year must demonstrate success in the areas of personal excellence; collaborative leadership; curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and personalization.

At the national level, Dr Rodrigue will compete for the national honor along with principals of the year from each of the other 49 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, according to CAS. NASSP will recognize all state principals of the year at an Institute in Washington, DC, September 24 to 27.

Dr Rodrigue said she learned about the news on April 19. Dr Erardi also announced the news over the loudspeaker at the school that day around 1 pm, just before the final period of the school day. He later shared the news with other district staff and families.

Dr Rodrigue explained she applied for the honor and people submitted nomination letters. She completed a rubric and on April 18 the group visited the school for a tour.

In her application, Dr Rodrigue wrote, at NHS, "the ideals associated with climate and culture are paramount to us. As a building leader, I have worked collaboratively to define, shape, and sustain a personalized learning culture where members define themselves as caring, resilient, independent, and intellectually curious individuals who continually strive to meet their full potential. I encouraged staff and students to 'reimagine' their high school, resulting in the addition of a creative Makerspace in Art, an Internet Cafe for quiet study and charging stations, and collaborative time for both staff and students."

In the application Dr Rodrigue also mentioned her committee work to craft a school support system for academic needs, the revised school advisory program, the implementation of personalized learning community time, and many other efforts she has made since being hired as NHS principal in May 2014.

Dr Rodrigue said she would not have been able to accomplish so much without support from the "awesome team" at the high school.

"There's just this synergy here with my administration team... and in the school with the way people treat each other," said Dr Rodrigue.

As principal at NHS, Dr Rodrigue said her goal is to support what is in the best interest of her students.

The honor of being named the CAS 2017 High School Principal of the Year, she said, is a reflection that shows the NHS staff and students work daily to make the school a good place to be. Dr Rodrigue said it is a "privilege and an honor" to be the principal at NHS.

In a statement she shared with CAS, Dr Rodrigue said, "I am honored to receive the CAS/NASSP High School Principal of the Year award and further humbled to be selected as the State's representative at the national level. My belief as school leader is that collaboration, caring, and innovative curricular opportunities lead to a positive culture and a dynamic learning environment for all. I am so proud to serve the students, staff, and families of Newtown and thank them for their ongoing support."