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Archdiocese of Chicago Principal Selected as 2017 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals

Mrs. Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek, principal of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chicago, has been recognized again for her outstanding contributions to academic excellence and community engagement

Chicago, IL (July 17, 2017) – The Archdiocese of Chicago is proud to announce that Mrs. Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek, principal of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chicago, has been named a 2017 National Distinguished Principal (NDP), one of three Catholic elementary school principals recognized with this award. The National Association of Elementary School Principals established the NDP program in 1984 to recognize and celebrate elementary and middle-level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and environment for the students, families and staffs in their learning communities.

“We take great pride in learning that Mrs. Phyllis Cavallone-Jurek has once again been honored this year by being selected as a 2017 National Distinguished Principal,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago. “Her accomplishments prove that she has set a high bar for educators within Chicagoland and the nation.”

Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek is the recent winner of the 2017 Golden Apple Stanley C. Golder Leadership Award, the first leader from a Catholic school to receive the Award. Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek was earlier awarded the 2017 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). St. Therese Chinese Catholic School has also won many awards in recent years for its excellent academic program, including the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award in 2011.

Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek has been principal of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School since 2004, and has 20 years of education experience. In collaboration with the pastor and the local community, Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek has provided the necessary leadership to nearly double the school’s enrollment during her tenure.

“Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek’s exceptional leadership is felt not only at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School but also across our more than 200 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago,” said Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “We are grateful to the National Association of Elementary School Principals for acknowledging her incredible dedication and enthusiasm and the time she invests in our students’ academic excellence and achievement.”

Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek was nominated for this award by NCEA from among its 2017 winners. Selection criteria require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.  

Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek will travel to Washington, D.C., in October, for two days of activities planned for elementary and middle-level educators.

“I am tremendously honored to receive this national award,” said Mrs. Cavallone-Jurek. “It’s humbling to be recognized not only for my work at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School but also for my contributions on behalf of all the Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Chicago. It’s truly a privilege to work with an incredible team of educators who are devoted to our students’ intellectual and spiritual development and success.”

The selected principals for the 2017 NDP Program include 54 elementary and middle-level public school principals from across the country, five from PreK–8 private schools, one from the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, and two from the U.S. Department of State American Overseas Schools for a total of 63 honorees.

To learn more about the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic schools, visit: schools.archchicago.org.