Fort Elementary's Prater named national distinguished principal for Texas
May 13—Royse City ISD's Wendy Prater has been named the 2024 NAESP National Distinguished Principal of the Year for Texas by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, according to a release from the district.
RCISD officials say Prater, the principal for Fort Elementary School, "builds strong relationships with teachers, students and parents [and] has created a positive and collaborative student-centered learning environment."
Under Prater's leadership, district officials say Fort Elementary's focus on relationship-building has contributed to higher student achievement, higher teacher retention and higher community engagement. They also praised her exceptional leadership and commitment to learners on her campus.
"Fort Elementary is a campus where many veteran teachers are loyal to the Fort campus and value Wendy as a leader," Royse City ISD Executive Director of Elementary Schools Amy Hopkins wrote in her recommendation letter. "She is attentive to staff needs, solicits feedback and continues to build a culture of high expectation ... Her Fort families are very involved in campus life."
Prater and her staff, known as the Fort Fam, are "passionate about ensuring every learner on campus — from students to teachers — have the support they need to grow and meet their learning goals."
Each year, teachers and administrators set their own professional and student growth goals and work together to track progress. After every assessment, the staff meets in their PLC groups to share data, discuss growth, and plan next steps.
The staff has also created multiple ways for students to set and achieve their own goals throughout the year. When students meet their instructional goals, they visit Prater to celebrate and receive a token to use in the school's book vending machine.
During parent conferences, teachers share data reports to help parents understand their child's academic journey.
"Wendy has intentionally fostered trust and built a strong connection between staff and parents to ensure student success," TEPSA Executive Director Harley Eckhart said. "She has created a united and dedicated community focused on providing students a safe and engaging learning environment."
During Prater's six years at Fort Elementary, the school has become a dynamic hub for grant-writing expertise. Teachers are encouraged to apply for grants and tap into a supportive school network of resources. Prater meets with teachers to discuss their ideas and teachers help each other with grant writing.
For the 2023-2024 school year, Fort Elementary was awarded $32,000 in grants by the Royse City ISD Education Foundation — breaking a record for the school with the most grants awarded in the district.
Funds have been used to enhance the learning experience for students and increase accessibility including providing classroom technology, a sensory room for students, a speech board on the playground to help nonverbal students communicate at recess, a walking trail of books, and more.
Prater and her school will receive $2,500 each courtesy of long-time TEPSA partner Curriculum Associates. She will also be recognized throughout the year, including at the NAESP awards gala in Washington, D.C.
