Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic School Principal Among 10 Educators to Earn Top Honor from U.S. Department of Education
Chicago, IL (Nov. 13, 2019) – Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic School Principal Shane Staszcuk, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in Chicago, will receive the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. Staszcuk is one of 10 U.S. principals – and the only one in Illinois – who will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 in Washington, D.C.
“I am thrilled that Mr. Staszcuk has been named a recipient of this award” said Dr. Jim Rigg, superintendent of Catholic schools. “He is a dedicated principal who leads with compassion, inclusiveness and excellence.”
Named for the second U.S. Secretary of Education, the Terrel H. Bell Award honors outstanding school principals for the vital role they play in guiding their students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances. The award is part of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Principals are nominated by their school communities during the final stages of the National Blue Ribbon Schools application process.
The U.S. Department of Education, together with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, presents the Bell Awards to a select group of outstanding principals of National Blue Ribbon Schools.
Staszcuk began his education career in the early 1990s and became principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy (OLMCA) in 2004. Over his 15 years as principal, he has been as an advocate for students with disabilities and their families. Staszcuk has fostered a supportive, inclusive sense of community and service for children who learn differently and has revitalized the school’s The Learning Center (TLC) program, an inclusive education program, that not only benefits the program’s participating students, but also the school community at large. Under his leadership, OLMCA has received two National Blue Ribbon Awards (2013 and 2019).
“It is an honor to receive this recognition and share it with the entire community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy - staff, students, and families,” said Staszcuk. “I am most proud that this award acknowledges my 15 years of work towards building a strong, inclusive education program at a parochial school. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy is a model for private schools looking to better serve students who learn differently, while maintaining the highest academic standards. I am also very proud that our school produces high achieving, well-rounded students who also have a lot of fun.”
Under Staszcuk’s leadership and partnerships with outside organizations, TLC program expanded to include a full-time director of Inclusive Education and a team of support staff and therapists. The program now serves more than 15 percent of the school’s total student body.
More information about the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership can be found here.
