Blowing Rock School Principal Patrick Sukow has been selected by his fellow principals as the Watauga County Schools Principal of the Year for 2015-16. His award was announced Monday in the Blowing Rock School gym to the delight of an audience that included Blowing Rock students and faculty, his family, and representatives of the Board of Education and the Watauga County Schools central office team.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Elliott told the Blowing Rock students and faculty that “from the first time I came here and met Mr. Sukow, I knew one thing was true: Mr. Sukow loves you and loves Blowing Rock School…he also has high expectations for himself and the people around him. His love for this school and his commitment to excellence make for a great principal.”
Human Resources Director Dr. Stephen Martin noted that Mr. Sukow “has a real passion for this school and for education, and it is reflected in the consistent success that this school enjoys.”
Board of Education Chair Ron Henries said Sukow’s award “is very well deserved” and added that he agreed with a recent survey that said being a principal is the best job around. “I was a principal for 17 years and it was the best job I ever had.”
Sukow responded to the award and the praise by turning the attention back to Blowing Rock students, school personnel, and families. “You guys are the ones that make this a great school,” he told them. “You are a blessing to be around on a daily basis. This award isn’t for me, this is for you. I don’t think there’s a better school in NC. I would put us up against any school in the state. It’s just so wonderful to be here and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
This is not the first time Sukow has been honored with the award. He was also chosen as Principal of the Year three years ago.
Sukow will be recognized for his latest award by the Watauga County Board of Education at tonight’s meeting. His selection as Principal of the Year also means he will receive a check for an extra $500 later this year.
Sukow is in his eleventh year as principal of Blowing Rock. He first came to the Watauga County Schools in December of 1999 to become assistant principal at Watauga High School and later served as assistant principal at Parkway before becoming principal at Blowing Rock in July of 2004.
Patrick Sukow’s wife Anne Sukow is also an educator and teaches fifth grade at Bethel Elementary.
Blowing Rock School is a kindergarten through eighth grade school with a current enrollment of 348 students. The school was rated high growth for 2013-14, meaning that its students significantly exceeded state expectations for academic progress during the school year. Students at Blowing Rock also substantially exceeded statewide proficiency rates on the state End-of-Grade tests in reading, mathematics, and science.
You must be logged in to post a comment.