A local educator was recently recognized on a state level at the annual professional development conference put on by the South Dakota Elementary Principals’ Association and the SD Association of Secondary School Principals. Britton-Hecla’s Carrie James was named the Region 4 High School Principal of the Year.
There are seven regions in the state and Region 4 occupies much of the northeastern corner of South Dakota. James had been named the region’s Middle School Principal of the Year for 2017-18, but this is the first time she was honored for the high school level.
James graduated from Britton High School in 1995, then attended NSU for an elementary education degree. “My first job was teaching special education in Roslyn, so I taught and went to NSU to finish off my SPED minor and be a fully certified teacher.” She then accepted a special education job in Britton in 2001 after two years in Roslyn. “I taught special ed and middle school English for 12 years in Britton. and then taught one year of English/Language Arts.”
James would become the Middle School and High School Principal at Britton-Hecla in 2014 even as she continued her education. “I worked on completing my Masters in Administration and Leadership at NSU my first two years of being a principal,” she noted. “This was helpful as it was learning in action!” James credits those around her with inspiring her. “Mrs. Kyla Richter, our Elementary principal, first encouraged me to become a principal,” said James. “It was something that wasn’t even on my radar previously. Now, she has been my mentor and work partner for the last nine years. I am the principal I am today because of all that she has taught and shared with me, as well as listening to me daily.”
Britton-Hecla Superintendent Steve Benson is proud of James’s accomplishment, but not surprised she was recognized amongst her peers. “Mrs. James is a conscientious educator dedicated to the students,” said Benson. “She treats the students like they’re her own kids but doesn’t shy away from the harder parts of the job.”
For her part, James says that her positive outlook keeps her going in her principal role. “I love the students and the people I work with,” she added. “Anytime I’m having a bad day, I go out and see the students and staff. They give me energy and lift me up.”
She also commented that her supportive family is a big part of her success. She and her husband Brian have four kids, Andrew, Joel, Alyssa, and Isabel.
Regarding the Regional Principal of the Year Award, James says that it is always nice to be respected amongst one’s peers. “I don’t really love attention, but I appreciate the honor,” she commented. “It’s gratifying when someone sees that you’re working hard.”
