Armatage Principal Wins Prestigious National Honor

After a rigorous selection process, Armatage Montessori School Principal Joan Franks was chosen as Minnesota's National Distinguished Principal for 2011.

The honor, for which Franks said she is "very, very lucky," was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Franks has worked at Minneapolis schools, including Kenny Community School, for the last two decades.

"I’m just very fortunate to be a part of a community that really gives their heart and soul to the kids," Franks said of Armatage. "I just get to be the namesake here, but it's truly a collaborative effort between our parents, staff and community to make Armatage the school that it is."

She was nominated by a fellow educator or a parent. A committee of 12 from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association winnowed the field of candidates. They conducted interviews with the three finalists on Friday, and Franks' award was announced yesterday.

One of the accomplishments that pushed her over the top was her leadership in the transition of Armatage to a Montessori school, said MESPA Executive Director Fred Storti.

"We’re just so proud that Joan was one of the finalists and was selected," Storti said. "Joan is a veteran principal that has done a lot in Minneapolis."

Franks will travel to Washington D.C. to accept the award with 60 or so other winners in October.