Michele Pecina has delivered her “We can do this!” attitude to the principalship since 1989, most recently at Millview Elementary School in Madera USD, from which she retired this year.
“As the leader of the school, I have always wanted to work with students to help them be the best they can be as people and as academic learners,” Pecina said. “Through ‘Principal Expectations’ for both staff and students, the message becomes clear: We are all here to do our best each day. The principal is responsible for setting that positive climate.”
Pecina, who is ACSA’s 2008 Elementary Principal of the Year, has always worked on the concept of student academic identity and believes it starts with the principal. At Millview, the motto is “Think you can, work hard, get smart, go to college!”
Through her Principal Expectations, Pecina reviewed data to inform instruction and kept her former school, Monroe Elementary, out of Program Improvement.
She was asked in her last year to take over Millview, a PI-4 school. In that year, she was able to freeze Monroe at the PI-4 status and begin to turn achievement around. All expectations are that Millview will exit PI this year.
“Mrs. Pecina has made a profound impact on the education of children in Madera,” said the district’s former superintendent, Julia O’Kane.
Indeed, her 13-year tenure at Monroe Elementary produced California Distinguished School and CSBA Golden Bell awards. Pecina was nominated by ACSA and named 2003 California National Distinguished Principal of the Year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Among her other achievements at Madera are developing the first elementary grade Advancement Via Individual Determination program; establishing the “Second Cup of Coffee” parent information meetings; coaching eight vice principals who are now acting principals; and establishing a learning garden at Monroe.
Pecina chose education as a profession for a classic reason: to make a difference for those attending and serving the school.
“Having been in six California school districts ‘on purpose’ as I like to say, I have found the role of principal is to inspire and achieve specific goals and support the team effort to do so,” she said.
And, while she retired from the principalship, like so many administrators, Pecina admits retirement from educational work is not for her.
“I will continue to serve as a principal coach and will assist an educational company with their important work with ELL students,” she said. “I have a variety of other educational pursuits, as well, including reading educational manuscripts for publication and serving as adjunct faculty for National University.”
Pecina has been active in ACSA for many years. She has served for 15 years in Region 9 in positions that include secretary, region president and serving on the state Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability and Elementary Education councils.
“ACSA membership has been invaluable to me,” she said. “The networking has been incredible, as all of my districts in which I have worked as an administrator have given value to belonging. EdCal has been a great job resource. The CLASS training for being a principal coach, sponsored by ACSA, inspired my recently completed dissertation. I have enjoyed serving on state committees and in particular serving on the Region 9 board as president. I believe in professional organizations and in making a commitment to serve as a personal responsibility.”
There have been many accolades for Pecina over the years, but she admits to being very humbled by the ACSA Administrator of the Year Award, and grateful to her peers for the recognition.
“I feel a great sense of giving back to those still in the field and that’s why I am not truly retired,” she said. “Quality materials are out there, new administrators need coaching and teaching from those who have retired, educational manuscripts need to be read. I want to continue to contribute, and this designation inspires me personally to do so.”
ACSA’s Administrators of the Year will be formally honored during ACSA’s 2008 Leadership Summit, Nov. 6-8 in San Diego. For more information or to register, visit www.acsa.org/calendar or call (800) 608-ACSA.
For more information on the ACSA Administrator of the Year Awards, visit www.acsa.org/awards.