VALLEY MILLS, Texas — Joanie Moody received the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Assocation's Region 12 Assistant Principal of the year award at Valley Mills Elementary School on Friday.
Moody is one of 20 regional assistant principals to be recognized, and now she will submit an application to represent Texas for the National Assistant Principal of the Year Award.
Valley Mills Elementary principal Chris Dowdy from Valley Mills Independent School District said Moody has shown strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students.
Moody is a problem-solver and encourages communication between school staff, parents and local businesses, superintendent Mike Kelly said.
Valley Mills Elementary assistant principal recognized
"Her ability to connect with students is unprecedented," Kelly said. "She begins every morning by welcoming each elementary student to campus with a high five, handshake, fist bump or hug."
Kelly also said Moody's leadership sparked creativity in staff and the kids, making the elementary school better as a whole.
Dowdy also pointed out that Moody made a positive impact quickly after transitioning from teaching to a role in administration.
Moody was a teacher for four years, and has been the assistant principal at Valley Mills Elementary since 2016.
Dowdy was also impressed with her approach to tackling the problem of students' poor literacy performance.
"The solution involved many hours of research, visiting other successful schools and collaboration with educational peers to discover the best possible approach," Dowdy said.
