Distinguished Principal Award Won By Avon Lake Administrator

AVON LAKE, OH — Redwood Elementary School Principal T.J. Ebert has earned a prestigious honor. He was named the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) 2018 National Distinguished Principal.

“Mr. Ebert was nominated and selected by fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by OAESA,” said Julie Davis, OAESA executive director. “The selection process included an extensive application, interviews, and a school visit from a team of colleagues. Comments from the visiting team included, ‘The three words used to describe Mr. Ebert are enthusiastic, passionate and engaged. It was very clear that he is all three,’ and ‘He believes in saying ‘we’ instead of ‘me’ and always brings decisions back to doing what is best for kids.”

This is the 34th year that the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has presented this award. Ebert was nominated by Staci Albanese, Northfield Elementary School Principal, of the Nordonia Hills City School District.

Ebert is a 12-year veteran of the Avon Lake City Schools. He has been the principal at Redwood for seven years, the district said.

“We are all excited that Mr. Ebert has been selected as the OAESA Principal of the Year in Ohio and will be representing Ohio at the national level,” said Robert Scott, Avon Lake City Schools superintendent. “Mr. Ebert is an outstanding Principal. He not only has the knowledge and skill to do the job, but he has all of the intangibles that make him an educational leader."

Scott said he believes that Ebert will only continue to get better as a principal. Ebert is a graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science (Education) and received his Master of Education (Administration) from Cleveland State University. He also received his Superintendent License through Ashland University in 2011.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Ebert. “I have been blessed to work in a great school district. I work in a school with a staff that is innovative, with supportive parents and hardworking students.”

The award will be presented to Ebert on June 15 at the OAESA Professional Conference at the Hilton Columbus at Easton in Columbus. Then, in October, he will head to Washington, D.C. for two days of activities planned to honor and recognize elementary and middle-level educators chosen by each state.

Photo from Avon Lake Schools