From the Anchorage School District:

A panel of statewide judges has selected Cheryl Huber, Principal of S.A.V.E. High School in the Anchorage School District as 2012 Alaska High School Principal of the Year. The Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals sponsors the Principal of the Year Award each year. Applicants were scored based on their accomplishments and completion of the rigorous MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year application. The application involved writing a reflective written essay on their school improvement efforts using the NASSP Breaking Ranks Framework, including topics such as Collaborative Leadership; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; and Personalization.

Huber received her B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Learning Disabilities in 1984 from Winona State University in Minnesota. Huber has a M.Ed in Counseling and Guidance (1994 UAA) and M.Ed in K-12 School Administration (1996 UAA). Huber started her educational career as a teacher in Lake City, MN (1984-89) and Pearl City High School in Hawaii (1990-92), before starting her career in Alaska as an elementary and secondary special education teacher and counselor. Huber has served in various administrative roles for 13 years, including assistant principal (Whaley School 1999-2004), and Curriculum Principal (West High School 2004-07), before becoming principal in 2007 at S.A.V.E. High School.

In Huber’s application for Principal of the Year, she shared this strongly held belief; “My most important role as educational leader is to create an environment that allows others to develop an environment that allows others to develop their full potential and be teachers of excellence in a team environment.” Huber’s application contained many examples of how her vision permeates every aspect of S.A.V.E.’s learning environment for students. King Career Center Assistant Principal Craig Walker shared, “Cheryl’s reach is FAR and the results many – she is exceptional.”

S.A.V.E High School is an alternative high school in the Anchorage School District that combines an academic curriculum and vocational training for students. Huber has placed great emphasis on developing strong partnerships with the eight area Anchorage high schools that refer students to S.A.V.E. A majority of S.A.V.E. students are 17 to 19 years old, many without the traditional family supports needed to ensure success. Huber’s staff strives to understand student basic needs so they may provide appropriate basic physical, social, academic and social supports.

Superintendent Carol Comeau shared that Cheryl Huber “has wide respect among her peers, and the administration, for tenacious advocacy and commitment to some of Anchorages most challenging and disenfranchised students.” Huber invites S.A.V.E. students to have parents or significant other adults in their lives to come into the school so there is improved communication that supports student-learning needs. Huber has developed partnerships with local businesses that provide fruits and vegetables to students, since the school has no free and reduced lunch program.

Two programs at S.A.V.E. engage students in giving back to the community through participation in the United Way’s Day of Caring Food Drive and as part of monthly volunteer groups at Bean’s Café, a local food shelter. This focus on giving back has been key to making S.A.V.E. a caring school where students feel strong connectedness to each other, their school, their education and the community. Huber’s commitment to the whole student led her school to having the first statewide Health Fair for high school students.

Huber is now eligible as a candidate for the 2013 MetLife/NASSP National High School Principal of the Year. In addition, Huber will attend a special State and National Principal’s Institute and Awards Banquet in Washington D.C in September 2012, where the Middle and High School Principals of the Year from all 50 states will share their expertise among peers and national leaders in education.

Contact: Andre' Layral
Executive Director
Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals
P.O. Box 83530
Fairbanks, AK 99708

Office: 907-458-8880
FAX: 907-458-8889
Email: aassp@alaskaprincipal.org
Web Page www.alaskaprincipal.org