DEARBORN — Susan Stanley, the principal at Salina Elementary, was named the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal Association (MEMSPA) Region One Principal of the Year.

The state of Michigan includes fourteen regions with Region One including all of Wayne County.  The honor was bestowed upon Stanley at the organization’s annual Leadership Awards Banquet held in early December.

Stanley: “One of the greatest joys of leading a school where English is not the first language spoken in many of the student’s homes and many parents don’t speak English, is finding the common voice that is shared by all.”

Each Region presents the award to one of its members who has merited such recognition as acclaimed and approved by that Region’s Executive Board.  The criteria for the award are a combination of teaching/administrative experience, participation in professional and civic organizations, and advancing the profession through service.

Before joining Dearborn Public Schools this past fall at Salina Elementary, Sue worked for twenty–two years in Redford Union.  She served as a 1st grade teacher and a reading recovery teacher, as well as an elementary principal for 9 years. 

“One of the greatest joys of leading a school where English is not the first language spoken in many of the student’s homes and many parents don’t speak English, is finding the common voice that is shared by all.  This voice advocates that all children are to be provided with a world‐class education and that is what we strive to do every day at Salina,” said Stanley.