Presentation of Outstanding Administrator Award to Beth Plunkett

I first want to applaud the awards committee and this organization for creating this award. All of us in this room know that we cannot do our job without the solid support of our administrators. We need their advocacy, we need their encouragement, and above all--in so many districts where this essential skill of oral communication is still considered a frill--above all, we need administrators who believe along with us that what we do is important. I am one of those lucky people.

I am honored to present STAM's first Outstanding Administrator Award to my principal, Beth Plunkett. Please indulge me these few moments to tell you about this extraordinary woman.

As a former speech competitor herself, Beth is undeniably my team's proudest supporter. She makes my students feel that what they are learning is vital to their future, and that the activity in which they participate brings honor and recognition to themselves and to their school.

Carla Braley, our drama teacher, wrote,"I never thought I wanted to teach high school again. Then Beth called, and I was so impressed that I changed my mind and took the job. And now I feel that I am in that dream job that everyone talks about. You know, that dream job where your principal not only takes the time to learn what you do, but supports it, and takes the time to tell others just how much theater and the arts mean to her and to the students."

Sue Easterbee is the drama teacher at our alternative school, where Beth was principal before coming to West. Sue said, "Beth Plunkett virtually saved theatre at the alternative school. She allowed me to convert a space into a black box theatre and even hosted rehearsals at her home. We have named our theatre at Fern Ridge the 'Beth Plunkett Black Box Theatre' in her honor."

And Beth supports all of the fine arts. Our music department chair said that Beth's active participation is exceptional. "She visits classes, attends performances, and travels on trips--not in the role of administrator, necessarily, but as a supporter and cheerleader."

Now I'm sure (or at least I hope) that many of you have a principal like this. But---has YOUR principal donned costume and makeup to make cameo appearances in your school plays? Beth, you may think that your finest stage moment was your portrayal of a rejected princess in "Once Upon A Mattress." But I know differently. When the students were holding a lip-sync contest as a charity fundraiser, Beth volunteered to perform in the cafeteria at lunch to spark interest...and let me tell you, Beth Plunkett does a fine impersonation of Britny Spears!

Beth, Parkway West is so fortunate to have you as our principal. Beth is unbelievably caring, incredibly competent, and passionately demonstrative of her love of learning, and of her love and respect for her students---and they return that love and respect in great measure!

I am blessed to work with a principal who considers herself my colleague, not my boss. She tells me that what I do is vital and valued. And she makes me feel that my chosen mission in life is hers as well. I know that many of you in this room have known this for sometime...but I want you to know that I know...just how spoiled I am! Please join me in honoring my principal, Beth Plunkett.

Holiday Inn Lake of the Ozarks
Friday, September 22, 2000