- April 20, 2024
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Flagler Palm Coast High School Assistant Principal Dustin Sims was awarded Florida’s 2015 Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award — Assistant Principal of the Year — in a Feb. 23 Commissioner’s Summit for Principals Awards Luncheon in Lake Buena Vista.
“I am honored to be recognized among outstanding peers, and I have a great appreciation for Flagler County Schools,” Sims said in his acceptance speech. “I will never forget the lesson taught to me my first year in administration by Superintendent Oliva: ‘Managers manage things, leaders lead people.’ I have tried my best to follow that lesson and allow myself each day the privilege of leading others by serving them.’
Sims received the award alongside Angela Murphy-Osborne, an Orange County elementary school principal who was named Principal of the Year.
“I am honored to recognize these school leaders,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said in a Florida Department of Education news release. “They are shining examples of what it means to make students and the quality of education provided at their schools a top priority. These outstanding principals and assistant principals are models of exceptional leadership, and possess the vision and motivation necessary to provide an outstanding education in Florida schools.”
Sims beat out two other finalists — William P. Roberts, of the Lake County School District's Windy Hill Middle School, and Nigel Pillay, of the St. Johns County School District's Pedro Menendez High School — to win the award, which “recognizes outstanding school leaders who have increased student performance, promoted safe learning environments and established successful partnerships with parents and community members,” according to the release.
As FPC’s assistant principal, Sims’ primary responsibility is to lead Flagler Palm Coast High School on matters of curriculum. But he also lead academic progress monitoring, supported teachers and students and incentivized student achievement, helping raise the school’s grade from a D to an A.
Flagler Palm Coast High School was also named one of the top high schools in the nation by US News and World Report for two years in a row, according to the release.
Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality, Brian Dassler, presented Sims with his award: a $2,500 check, an additional $500 for FPC, a $200 Office Depot Gift Card, and a weekend resort stay at the Walt Disney World Resort, with theme park admission.
This is the second year in a row that a Flagler County educator has made the short-list for a prestigious state education award. Belle Terre Elementary School teacher Jill Espinoza was a finalist for the state’s Teacher of the Year award last year.
