Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Nottingham Elementary Principal Roy Moore and Northbrook High School Principal Randolph Adami were named this week as Spring Branch ISD’s Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year.

The two 2019 principal recognitions were announced during surprise visits Feb. 20 by SBISD Superintendent of Schools Scott Muri. The recognitions were made at a professional learning academy aimed at secondary school leaders and separate Nottingham Elementary meeting for state and national schools leaders interested in blended learning and school redesign.

These two principals will be honored during upcoming events, including the annual SBISD Service Awards Celebration in April. During that same event, the district’s six Teacher of the Year finalists will be honored, and two of the finalists will be publicly announced as the 2019 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year in SBISD.

SBISD Principals of the Year are selected by their principal peers based on the following criteria:

•    Concern for all staff and students and the ability to inspire both of these groups
•    Ability and willingness to work cooperatively with all staff and administrators
•    Proven drive to initiate and implement effective strategies supporting continuous improvement in student performance
•    Ability to work with diverse community groups and all district stakeholders
•    Proven desire for continuous personal and professional growth
•    Ability and willingness to make meaningful contributions to education

 

Randolph Adami, Northbrook High School

SBISD Secondary Principal of the Year

“I was very surprised and very honored,” reflects Northbrook High Principal Randolph Adami on his third district Principal of the Year award. A 31-year SBISD administrator and teacher, he also was honored as Principal of the Year in 2009 and 2015.

Principal Adami accepted his award from Dr. Muri in a professional learning academy meeting of his peers, including middle and high school principals and leadership. 

“I feel incredibly fortunate to work with the great colleagues I have, and I feel even more fortunate to receive this extra recognition from them. I honestly feel that the principals in Spring Branch ISD are some of the very best in Texas,” Adami said. “Spring Branch for many years now has recruited the best principals to be found, and those efforts are now paying off with the quality of leaders we have in the principal role.”

A graduate of Texas A&M University’s Education School, he later earned his master’s in administration and supervision from the University of Houston. 

Principal Adami began his district career at in 1988 at Spring Woods Middle School, where he taught English and history and was grade-level team leader. He served for nine years as assistant principal at Northbrook Middle and Spring Woods High, rising into principal duties in 2000 at Spring Oaks Middle School.

He joined Northbrook High as principal in 2004, and has served there for 15 years, one of the longer known periods of principal administration at any SBISD high school.

“The Northbrook High administrative team the past few years has been, without a doubt, one of the strongest and best teams I have worked with during my 28 years as a school administrator,” he said. “Their jobs are challenging, but their talents and good work ethic make things run smoothly. Each one of them brings something special to the table.”

He also extols the Northbrook High staff, many of whom he personally hired. “They are wonderful people who are most professional, care deeply for their kids, work extremely hard, and who will do just about anything that is asked of them.

SBISD high school principals form a strong team, too. “On my worst days, they offer support. On my best days, they help me celebrate. We all work together and we all do support each other. Support and friendship is valued over competition,” he said.

A proud family man, Adami and his wife are the parents of three adult children. Points of pride for the longtime principal include many district administrators, counselors, coaches and teachers who he has been able to “hire, mentor and learn from for so many years.”

But students, he will never forget them. “I deeply value the relationships I have formed over the years, and the more than 6,000 graduate diplomas I have handed to students during my time at Northbrook High School,” he said.

After student graduations in May, Adami will begin serving as district director of safety and security, a new position and appointment.

 

Roy Moore, Nottingham Elementary School

SBISD Elementary Principal of the Year

“I was very, very surprised to be named Elementary Principal of the Year,” Principal Roy Moore said. “We were all in the middle of a special school showcase for funders and for other organizations when Dr. Muri interrupted to present this award to me.” 

“I was very surprised and very appreciative – all at the same time,” he also said. “It’s a great honor to be recognized and voted for by such a talented group of principals here in Spring Branch ISD.”

Superintendent Muri surprised Moore after the principal had told a gathering of leading researchers and philanthropists about Nottingham staff and community work related to school redesign and student learning.

Nottingham Elementary is one pilot site for an ongoing initiative by the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation to implement student-centered, blended learning strategies. The pilot project is called Raising Blended Learners, and several dozen state and national group representatives and funders gathered at Moore’s school Feb. 20 to listen to school and district leaders, and to visit classrooms.

Nottingham’s results are promising. Data shows improved student achievement in math and reading, two vital areas. The school has earned all six special distinctions awarded by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), too. Learning gaps between student groups are closing.

The elementary school is one of several in the district directly impacted by area flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey. The school, fortunately, did not flood, and it reported only minor storm issues. Many families were impacted directly, however, making results seen in student achievement that much brighter.

“Nottingham completed school redesign last year, and we really went about the process and the work with a focus and purpose,” Principal Moore said. “We’ve had the honor of hosting other school districts, and worked with some highly distinguished organizations that have pushed our thinking about how we look at ‘school.’ Through that process and development, our kids are growing academically and our learning gaps closing. By this measure, we know that this work is the right work to do.”

A Sam Houston State University graduate, Moore later earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Prairie View A&M University.

In 2012, he joined Nottingham as its new principal. He worked seven years before that as an assistant elementary principal in Waxahachie and Katy ISDs.

Nottingham Elementary has a committed staff focused on meeting the needs of Every Child. “We are committed to it, plan for it, and work towards it every day,” he said. His staff is highly talented and skilled.

“Everyone here knows our challenges and works tirelessly to address all our needs. I believe that our staff share a growth-mindset attitude, and they are constantly working to better themselves to better our students,” Principal Moore said. 

“Teaching and learning at Nottingham Elementary has changed dramatically for the better, and our kids and our school are reaping the benefits,” he also said.

Along with the campus community, Principal Moore has worked on closing the “divide gap” between student groups. “I think that being transparent, being available, and also having a shared commitment that home and school must work together for all our kids benefit will be the only way to truly meet and educate the whole child,” he said.

It’s hard work, but it has positive results.

“Today, I’m proud that our gaps have closed, and I’m happy to say that our community works together, and it steps up and steps in on anything that’s needed. That’s what we call the Nottingham Elementary Way!”