The Daily Record
Kenneth Bennett, principal of Dixon Road Elementary School in Willow Spring, was selected as the 2016-2017 Principal of the Year for Johnston County Schools, and Maritza Rosado, assistant principal of Selma Middle School, was selected as the 2016-2017 Assistant Principal of the Year for Johnston County Schools.
Mr. Bennett and Ms. Rosado were honored at a special JCPAPA (Johnston County Principals/ Assistant Principals Association) breakfast July 13 at Corinth Holders High School during the 2016 JCS Leadership Academy.
“We need to take time celebrate excellence,” said Johnston County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow. “There is no better way than at our annual Leadership Academy to recognize our Assistant Principal of the Year, Maritza Rosado, and our Principal of the Year, Kenneth Bennett, based on the tremendous body of the work they’ve accomplished over their careers but most importantly last school year at their respective schools.”
The Johnston County Education Foundation presented Mr. Bennett with an award check in the amount of $1,000 ($500 for personal use and $500 for his school) and Ms. Rosado with an award check in the amount of $500.
Both Mr. Bennett and Ms. Rosado were nominated by their colleagues and students to receive the award.
“To have a group of professionals that I value and to have a school community as well as colleagues that believe that I was deserving of this award is just amazing,” said Mr. Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was described as the epitome of a “hands-on” administrator, taking the time to visit classrooms every day and to have meaningful, genuine conversations with students. Mr. Bennett is said to have compassion for his staff and students and to go above and beyond making all students feel that they are in a safe and secure environment while reaching academic success.
“I’d like to encourage others to continue to form positive relationships with students, know your students, be about learning, and making sure they have all the necessary tools they deserve to be successful in life,” said Mr. Bennett.
Mr. Bennett was described as making Dixon Road Elementary a place where students and teachers want to come every day.
“I was very shocked, surprised, and humbled to receive this award,” said Ms. Rosado.
Ms. Rosado was described as a true instructional leader who is instrumental in expanding and enhancing academic programs at Selma Middle. She is known for taking initiatives with any task that she is assigned and not only completing the task, but making it more efficient, meaningful and effective.
“I feel that being a servant is important,” said Ms. Rosado. “Serving the teachers, students, parents, custodians and cafeteria workers is important. If you do the talk, you’ve got to do the walk. You have to be service-oriented.”
Ms. Rosado is said to be involved in everything the school does, and to know the pulls of the school at all times. Her colleagues have said that Ms. Rosado will quickly correct and scold a child and in the same moment hug them showing them that within discipline, there is also love.
“It’s not about longevity or term of service, it’s about what you do that’s different and elevated from what your peers do,” said Dr. Renfrow. “We could hand out a wheelbarrow full of awards based on the quality people we have in Johnston County. That’s not to take away from Maritza and Kenneth, but you’re truly humbled when you sit down and read all the nominations to see how fortunate we are to have so many talented people working in Johnston County Schools. It takes the collective effort of all those people to serve our students in such grand fashion.”
Johnston County Schools Principal of the Year Kenneth Bennett, left, and Assistant Principal of the Year Maritza Rosado, right, stand with JCS Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow.
Submitted Photo
