Puyallup Elementary Principal
Receives Statewide Honor

Glenn Malone committed to 'helping others shine their light'

OLYMPIA–Wildwood Park Elementary Principal Glenn Malone’s mission is to make his students feel capable of success. “Children who feel valued and worthwhile,” says Malone, “are children better ready, and able, to learn.”

In recognition of his dedication to student learning, Malone was recently named the 2010 Washington State Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and its elementary component board, the Elementary School Principals Association of Washington (ESPAW). Selected from a group of 18 regional honorees in Washington, he will represent the state in the National Distinguished Principal Program.

At Wildwood Park (Puyallup School District), where nearly half of the students receive free and reduced lunch, Malone’s innovative solutions are opening doors for the entire school community. To engage struggling students, Malone introduced WE-TV, a closed circuit television station for the school. Now, those students show up early each morning to write and produce the school’s live news show. Thanks to Malone’s encouragement, college is on the radar of every Wildwood Park student. As they walk the school hallways, students are surrounded by university posters; this year, 6th-graders enjoyed a grant-funded field trip to tour a nearby college campus, where they received a glimpse of what their future could hold.

It is not just the students who benefit from Malone’s passion for education. He has cultivated an environment of lifelong learning for his staff, whom he guides through a yearlong book study examining issues that relate to the classroom. He also leads his staff on a “reverse open house” at the beginning of each school year, taking a bus ride through the school’s service area and stopping at multiple sites to greet students and parents.

“One thing I know for certain after 28 years in education is that relationships precede learning,” says Malone. When it comes to relationship-building, visibility and accessibility are high priorities for the veteran principal. He visits every classroom at least twice a week, tracking and recognizing teachers’ best practices. An enthusiast of technology, Malone connects with staff, parents and community members through Facebook, Twitter and his blog, AlmostMonday.BlogSpot.com, which he updates every Sunday night. Malone also hosts a monthly “coffee with the principal,” where parents can discuss any subject they choose, as well as a monthly parents’ brunch focused on continuous improvement.

Despite the challenges that come with being a high-poverty school, Malone has led Wildwood Park Elementary to become an honored “School of Distinction” in Washington state. “We are continually amazed at the levels students reach when we set the bar higher,” says Malone.

With high expectations in place, Malone and his staff have ensured that success is within reach for all students. Under Malone’s guidance, Wildwood Park has implemented an intervention system, first for struggling readers and, recently, for students struggling in math. This system is based on school-wide progress monitoring and ongoing assessments, both of which rely on effective staff collaboration. Everyone is involved in this effort, including Malone. To help lower the class size during intervention blocks, he teaches a 6th-grade math group to challenge advanced students, giving teachers time to work with those students who need extra help.

His dedication sets Malone apart from others, according to Puyallup Chief Academic Officer Lynne Rosellini. “Glenn has worked diligently to create an atmosphere of trust and respect among staff, students and parents,” remarks Rosellini. “In other words, he does whatever it takes to get the job done right.”

“Glenn is a creative leader, constantly introducing new and exciting ways to engage his students and staff,” AWSP Executive Director Gary Kipp says. “His approach to teambuilding and problem-solving is a source of inspiration for those around him, and his commitment to personalized learning is making a tangible difference for the students and families of Wildwood Park.”

“While Glenn’s numerous accomplishments speak for themselves,” says Guy Kovacs, a colleague of Malone and principal of Edgerton Elementary, “I am most impressed with the fact that his own light shines brighter because of his commitment to helping others shine their light.”

Malone’s credentials include a master’s degree in educational administration from Central Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Washington University. He is currently working toward a doctorate in educational leadership from Washington State University. Malone has been in the principalship for 17 years.

He will be recognized for his accomplishments by AWSP and ESPAW this fall at the 2010 Principals’ Conference in Bellevue.

The National Distinguished Principals Program is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education and AIG VALIC. The formal award ceremony for all state nominees takes place in Washington D.C. each fall. Nominees participate in a series of events and activities over the course of two days, culminating in a formal awards banquet.

About the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more than 3,400 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals composed of members drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all students. For more information on the Association, visit the AWSP Web site at www.awsp.org.

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