Juneau, Alaska May 29, 2020 -
Cantwell, Anderson and Denali PEAK school Principal Jeni Mason has been named Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals Region 2 Principal of The Year for 2020. Cantwell School is a K-12 school; Anderson is a K-12 school, and Denali PEAK is a correspondence school all in the Denali Borough School District.
AASSP sponsors regional and statewide Principal of The Year recognition awards to honor the educational leaders who play such a pivotal role in student success. They may be nominated by anyone – students, staff, parents, district office staff or principal peers - with awards finalized by AASSP members in their region. Regional Principals of The Year are eligible to be in the running for the statewide Alaska Principal of The Year.
Principal Jeni Mason rarely sits still. As principal to three separate schools – Cantwell, Anderson and Denali PEAK – she doesn’t have time to pause, starting her day early in order to begin the drive between Cantwell and Anderson schools.
Her daughter, Jaydyn, who was just one of a number of others who nominated Principal Mason for Regional Principal of The Year, says Mason is "usually in classrooms or meetings, finding substitutes for teachers who are sick, and talking to kids when they get sent to the principal ‘all the time.’”
“My mom is always telling me about how awesome teachers are doing and how proud she is of all the students. She helps all kids and teachers. I think she is the best principal ever,” says Mason.
Assistant Principal Garin Martin says despite juggling multiple leadership roles, Principal Mason demonstrates consistent and solid leadership in each of the three schools by working closely with parents, guardians, individual families, staff and other stakeholders to develop educational plans that meet the needs of all students.
Trinity P. is one of those students in Anderson School and says Principal Mason checks in with her each day that the principal visits the school, and helps her with study skills that make typing and writing easier.
“Ms. Mason showed me how to make a brainstorm sheet first, then she helps me with my fingers on the keyboard. I like her,” says Trinity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic that required schools to close doors and implement distance education, Principal Mason lightened the mood by hopping into video conferences and various meetings dressed like Batwoman, wearing backward clothes or hunting gear, and even having messy hair.
