ELCA NEWS SERVICE November 3, 2003 ELCA School Administrator Named 'National Distinguished Principal' 03-199-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Jane H. Knox, principal of Faith Lutheran School, Raleigh, N.C., has been named a National Distinguished Principal for 2003 by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the U.S. Department of Education. The Division for Higher Education and Schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) nominated Knox. Honors were announced Oct. 30. Faith Lutheran School is a ministry of eight Lutheran churches in Raleigh. The Faith Lutheran School Association consists of five ELCA congregations and three congregations of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS). Knox, 58, is the founding principal of the school. "For Jane this program highlights the fundamental importance of achieving educational excellence for pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students," said Donna Braband, DHES assistant director for schools. "For Faith Lutheran School this recognition affords a special sense of pride in its principal's accomplishments and reinforces its principal's continued leadership in assisting children's faith development as well as instilling a lifelong love of learning." Braband coordinates the distinguished principals program for DHES. The National Distinguished Principals Program identifies exceptional principals in elementary and middle schools across both the public and private sectors of education, according to an NAESP news release. In addition to NAESP and the Department of Education, corporate sponsorship is provided by Variable Annuity Life Insurance Co. Faith Lutheran School opened in 1994. "I was hired by a school board to open and operate a school which had no building, no students, no books, no teachers and limited funds," said Knox. "But we had faith." In three years Faith Lutheran School grew from 25 students to 150 students and moved into a new building. Shortly after moving, Hurricane Fran hit the area and left 36 inches of water in the school building. Led by Knox, the staff found places for classes to meet, raised money and repaired the flood-damaged school. Today it has a student population of more than 300 and 45 faculty members. Six years into its history, Faith Lutheran School began the accreditation process through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 1999. In spring 2000 SACS granted Faith Lutheran School initial accreditation. The North Carolina SACS director commented on how unusual it is for a school to receive this accreditation only six years after opening its doors. Knox is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Raleigh, an LCMS congregation. She and her husband Charles are parents of a son and daughter. According to the NAESP news release, to be considered for the principal's award a nominee must: + be an active principal of a school in which a commitment is clearly evident through programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and through established community ties with parents and local business organizations; + show a strong commitment to the principal's role through active membership in professional associations; + be respected by students, colleagues, parents and the community at large; + assume an active role in his/her community, distinguishing himself/herself as a leader in civic, religious or humanitarian activities; + show strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students; and maintain an orderly, purposeful learning environment. -- -- -- Information about the National Distinguished Principals Program is at http://www.naesp.org on the Web. Information about the ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools is at http://www.elca.org/dhes on the ELCA Web site. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news