News Release
News Release
October 17, 2024
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Congratulates Two California School Principals Honored with National Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent Tony Thurmond congratulated two outstanding California educators today for being named recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership
for 2024. Principal Paulette Smith from Madison Elementary School in the San Leandro Unified School District and Principal Belinda Averill from South Lake Middle School in the Irvine Unified School District were announced as award recipients by United States Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona and are among nine school leaders nationwide selected from the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools. Both principals will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
“It is my pleasure to honor and recognize Principal Smith and Principal Averill as exemplary leaders who provide outstanding opportunities to students, shape positive communities, and support teachers to achieve excellence,” Thurmond said. “Students in these environments are allowed to thrive and feel motivated and equipped to achieve their best.”
Named for the second U.S. Secretary of Education, Terrel H. Bell, the Bell Award honors school leaders who are committed to education as a powerful and liberating force in people’s lives. The award is part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Principals are nominated by their school communities during the final stages of the National Blue Ribbon Schools application process.
The U.S. Department of Education, together with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, presents the Bell Award to principals of National Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding work and the vital role they play in guiding their students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances.
Visit the National Blue Ribbon Schools website
to learn more about the Blue Ribbon Schools Program and the Terrel H. Bell awardees.
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Tony Thurmond —
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100