George Washington Middle School Assistant Principal Tiauna Slack                                   has been honored by                                   the West Virginia                                       Center for Professional                            Development as a                                   West Virginia                                         Principal’s Leadership                                 Academy Distinguished                            Scholar.

Slack was one of 28                                 school administrators                               honored this year for                              exemplary action                                   research projects                                 completed at the 2008                              Principal's Leadership                            Academy.

The academy offers administrators an opportunity to hone their leadership skills in a collegial atmosphere based on the concept of continuous improvement. Working with team leaders and peers, each administrator develops an action plan that will positively impact student performance and achievement in his or her school.

In addition to achieving the distinction of being the only new administrator so honored, Slack received $750 to institute her plan at George Washington Middle School.

Harold "Chuck" Hatfield, Putnam County Superintendent, praises Slack for her accomplishment. "Mrs. Slack is to be commended for her hard work and dedication in producing an exemplary plan for improving her school," he states. "In the 21^st Century, it is more important than ever for school administrators to focus on instructional leadership and student achievement, and Mrs. Slack’s award illustrates her ability to do just that."