South Street School principal Dr. Carmen Vargas-Guevara was one of 10 principals named recently as recipients of the 2020 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. The principals were selected from the 2020 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The educators will be honored by the U.S Department of Education at a virtual awards ceremony on Nov. 12.
“Excellent learning environments are led by excellent leaders—those willing to think innovatively and creatively about how best to serve students and support teachers,” said U.S. Education spokeswoman Betsy DeVos. “I’m honored to, once again this year, recognize the talented principals who are this year’s Bell Award winners. They are the ones leading needed transformation at the most local level and are committed to student success.”
The award, named for the second U.S. Secretary of Education, Terrel H. Bell, is part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Principals are nominated by their school communities during the final stages of the NBRS application process.
“In the three years since taking over leadership at the school, Dr. Vargas-Guevara, along with her faculty and staff, has achieved something incredible, not only in terms of being nationally recognized, but also by helping students who need it most,” said Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “Her dedication and leadership have enabled the school to work as an educational community so students are able achieve remarkable success. The measures of closing achievement gaps serve students well into the future.”