The Principal of the Year award recognizes outstanding principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to their schools and communities.
Congratulations to the 2023-24 Principal of the Year!
Rebecca Watson, Principal
East River High
A few weeks into Rebecca Watson’s first year as high school principal, Hurricane Ian flooded Riverdale Elementary. Watson opened the doors of her school to accommodate a second set of students and staff, creating “Two Rivers, One Family.” Her leadership turned a challenging situation into a positive opportunity to strengthen the culture and resiliency of her school. Watson leads by example, from doing pushups in the Red Zone on Friday night to playing UNO at lunch. She makes her employees and students feel loved and supported by participating in as many events as she can, even out of town. Watson’s schools show vast reductions in turnover and increases in measures of school climate. She pours herself into students and pushes students to succeed academically and in life.