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Recognition May 1, 2020

Celebrating Principal Zaharah Valentine during National Principal’s Day – And EVERY DAY – as the ❤️of Baltimore Design School

Today is National Principal’s Day, and a time when schools around the country are celebrating their leadership. It goes without saying that we celebrate our leadership team every day at BDS, but on THIS day, we are paying special tribute to Mrs. Zaharah Valentine; Wife, Mother, Principal, Mentor. The Fund for Educational Excellence recognized Principal Valentine’s […]

Today is National Principal’s Day, and a time when schools around the country are celebrating their leadership. It goes without saying that we celebrate our leadership team every day at BDS, but on THIS day, we are paying special tribute to Mrs. Zaharah Valentine; Wife, Mother, Principal, Mentor.

The Fund for Educational Excellence recognized Principal Valentine’s stellar leadership by awarding her one of the 2020 Heart of the Schools winners this year, based upon nominations from staff, students and parents and an evaluation that took place right before schools shut their doors. The FFEE team agreed that Principal Valentine demonstrated exemplary innovation, execution, and leadership, while building a strong school culture. The awards ceremony was supposed to take place this month, but due to Rona…I mean COVID19…the ceremony has been postponed.

In the meantime, please take a minute to let Principal Valentine know how she has made a difference in your scholar’s life. What have you appreciated about her leadership and the direction she has taken Baltimore Design School?

I’ll leave you with this excerpt from a staff member in their nomination of Principal Valentine for Heart of the School:

“Finally, the real truth lies in the heart of the students. In a recent conversation about Principal Valentine, a group of 12th graders said the following as they talked amongst themselves: “Principal V don’t play!”, “Yeah, but she’s funny too.” “True, but don’t get her mad!” “It’s like having your mom in school all the time.” “Watching.” “At least she doesn’t have YOUR mom on speed dial!” “True. But she’s cool. Real cool.” True. But not too cool for our school. She’s the heart of it.”