Julie Pierce named 2017’s Alabama National Distinguished Principal

By Cliff McCollum
Posted 3/28/17

Fairhope Elementary Principal Julie Pierce was completely surprised last week during an assembly, as she was awarded the designation of being Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal for 2017 in …

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Julie Pierce named 2017’s Alabama National Distinguished Principal

Posted

Fairhope Elementary Principal Julie Pierce was completely surprised last week during an assembly, as she was awarded the designation of being Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal for 2017 in front of cheering students, faculty, family and friends.

Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler said he was proud and excited to get to honor Pierce, whom he’s known for many years.

“This is a wow moment for me to be able to recognize you for this,” Tyler said. “I’m so proud of you, as we all are.”

Pierce has been in education for 27 years and a resident of Fairhope since 2001. She has worked with the Baldwin County School System for a number of years, serving as a reading coach at the Summerdale School, assistant principal at J. Larry Newton School and principal of Gulf Shores Elementary before moving to Fairhope Elementary to become principal last year.

The National Distinguished Principal Program is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Each year, National Distinguished Principals represent pre-K through eighth grade public schools from across the country. Those principals are nominated by their peers in their state and final selections are made by committees appointed by the NAESP affiliate offices in those states.

School board member Cecil Christenberry said Pierce had been an excellent fit for Fairhope Elementary and it was easy to see why the organization would choose her as its 2017 honoree.

“We’re so thankful that we have a superstar as our principal here,” Christenberry said. “I just want to hug you and thank you for all you do for our children and our community.”

For her part, Pierce seemed humbled by the honor, and during her time to speak took an opportunity to tell her students that the award she received was actually about them.

“Whenever we’re put on this earth, we have a purpose,” Pierce said. “We have a reason that we’re here for each one of you sitting there. You have something very important to accomplish in your life, and I want you to find that and be able to do it. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here at school.”

Following Pierce’s speech, the children of Fairhope Elementary surprised her with a song they had been learning in secret over the past month entitled “We Appreciate You.”

As the students serenaded her with their clandestine song, Pierce appeared overcome by the kindnesses and honors shown to her.