Riverside High leader named North Central Region Principal of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Rodney Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resource Services 560-2353DURHAM—Riverside High School Principal G. Patrick Rhodes has been named 2004 Wachovia Principal of the Year for the North Central Region of North Carolina. Rhodes has been principal at Riverside since January 2000. This is the third straight year that a Durham Public Schools principal has been so honored. Hillside High School Principal Eunice Sanders took the honor in 2002, and former Jordan High School Principal Rodney Nelson did so last year. Nelson is now Assistant Superintendent of Human Resource Services. The North Central Region comprises 13 counties, including Wake, Franklin, Wilson and Nash-Rocky Mount. This also is the second time Rhodes has received the title. At neighboring Orange High School, where he was principal from 1996 through 1999, Rhodes was named Orange County Principal of the Year and represented the Central Region in the statewide competition in 1999. Riverside High School has developed an outstanding reputation for strong school-community relations under Rhodes’ leadership. The school is inviting to parents, and the students are involved in Durham’s first service learning program for high school students. The academic performance of the school also has made significant improvement. Newsweek magazine recognized Riverside as one of America’s Best High Schools last year because of the school’s strong Advanced Placement performance. On the state testing program, the ABCs, the school posted its highest performance composite ever in 2003, earning School of Progress distinction. Rhodes attributes a large part of the school’s success to major improvements in the school’s climate and work culture. He does not believe a school can be a great place for students until it is a great place for teachers. That is why he places emphasis on improving teacher working conditions, including purchasing telephones for their classrooms, eliminating weekly faculty meetings, and establishing a more supportive school environment. Rhodes will compete with seven other regional winners for statewide Principal of the Year, to be announced in May. From among the eight regions, one principal will be selected as North Carolina’s 2004 Wachovia Principal of the Year. This is the 21st year Wachovia Bank has sponsored the award. Rhodes has completed doctoral work and holds two master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also is a graduate of Elon College. Rhodes began his education career as a science teacher at what was then Lowe’s Grove Junior High School in Durham before teaching in Chapel Hill and Orange County. He was technology administrator and assistant principal before being named principal of Orange High School in 1996. “Pat Rhodes exemplifies what leadership in public education is all about. He is a superb principal who serves as a splendid role model for his peers and for those who aspire to serve as school administrators, and he will represent Durham Public Schools and the North Central Region wonderfully well in the statewide competition,” said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. “The Durham community has so much of which to be proud, knowing that we have captured Principal of the Year honors for our region over three consecutive years. This is a true indication of the level of professionalism and expertise that our school system boasts.” ###
