Barry Named Colorado Superintendent of the Year

NEWS RELEASE # 31
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2010 

Barry Named Colorado Superintendent of the Year

The Colorado Association of School Executives has named John L. Barry the 2011 Colorado Superintendent of the Year.

With the support of the APS Board of Education, School Executives of Aurora nominated Barry for the award, stating that Barry has “changed the focus, philosophy, and physical structure of (the district).”

"This is a tremendous honor, and I gratefully accept it on behalf of our educational partners, including the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education, our administrators, teachers, classified personnel, parents, community and most importantly, our students,” Barry said. “This recognition is a tribute to the partnership that we share and our commitment to accelerate student achievement and close the achievement gaps."

CASE member and Brighton Superintendent Rod Blunk chaired the selection process and stated, “John is truly a visionary leader. He’s willing to take on difficult tasks, willing to look at the realities of the system, and then willing to do something positive about it.”

As Colorado’s Superintendent of the Year, Barry is now a candidate for the American Association of School Administrators National Superintendent of the Year award. The national winner will be announced at AASA’s annual conference in February 2011.

Barry is not alone in receiving state recognition:

• Aurora West Preparatory Academy teacher Andrea (Andi) McCarthy was named the 2010 Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
• Sable Elementary School teacher Victoria Montoya was named the 2010 Language, Culture and Equity Educator of the Year.
• William Smith High School Principal Jane Shirley earned the 2010 Wright Way Award.
• Rangeview High School teacher Dave West earned the 2009 Colorado Counselor of the Year award.
• In 2009, the APS Board of Education earned the All State School Board Award from the Colorado Association of School Boards.

To learn more about staff accomplishments, visit www.aps.k12.co.us/communications/docs/points_pride.pdf.

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information

 APS Communication Department
Georgia Durán, Chief Communication Officer
303-365-7805
FAX: 303-326-1939
e-mail: grduran@aps.k12.co.us
http://www.aps.k12.co.us/communications