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