Posted on September 18, 2013 by LS
The Mint Hill Times
Bain Elementary School principal John LeGrand was named Principal of the Year for the East Learning Community at a surprise ceremony in the school’s cafeteria on Thursday, September 12. East Learning Community Superintendent Tonya Kales presented the award.
Several area principals and administrators attended the brief ceremony to show their support. LeGrand’s wife and children, as well as his parents and step-mother were also in attendance.
LeGrand began his career in CMS as a teacher at Mint Hill Middle from 2003-2005 before becoming an Assistant Principal at JM Alexander Middle School in Huntersville from 2005-2006. From 2006-2008 he was an assistant principal at Independence High School, moving to Bain as an assistant principal in 2008 before becoming Principal in 2010.
LeGrand made a brief speech, first addressing the visiting administrators.
“I’m honored to be elected by my peers,” says LeGrand. “I respect their opinion more than anything in the world, so to be elected by them means a great deal to me.”
He thanked the teachers and students for their support and then introduced his family.
“This is not an award just for me,” says LeGrand. “We have a high-performing staff that makes me look good, and students who are here for the right reasons, and they make me look good. This is about us.”
Bain teacher Janet Bevis, speaking for the faculty, lauded LeGrand for his commitment, not only to the school, but also the community.
“In order to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’ve been,” says Bevis. “Mr. LeGrand understands the Bain family, the community, and the history that has been made here.”
Each Learning Community will select its own finalists for Principal of the Year. All six candidates will be interviewed by a panel of district administration and school-based employees. One of the six will be selected as the CMS Principal of the year sometime in October.
