The Maine Principals' Association has named Dianne Helprin, principal of Pemetic Elementary School in Southwest Harbor, as Maine's 2010 Elementary National Distinguished Principal of the Year.
This award recognizes one elementary principal in Maine each year for effective leadership, a commitment to academic excellence, high expectations and standards, creating a culture that supports learning, contributions to the profession, and community service.
Helprin, daughter of Nelson and Joanne Kooyman Vandegrift of Alliance, is a 1978 graduate of Minerva High School.
In announcing Helprin's selection, MPA Executive Director Richard Durost noted, "Ms. Helprin's outstanding leadership of a K-8 school and her commitment to excellence in educating all students represent the very best qualities of the effective elementary school principal in Maine. Her commitment is clear and unequivocal. She is a strong educational leader and role model, who has high expectations for school staff, students, and herself."
As Maine's 2010 Elementary National Distinguished Principal of the Year, Helprin will be honored at the MPA's Spring Conference awards banquet on April 29. She will also be honored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals in corporate partnership with VALIC in the fall of 2010 in Washington, D.C.
Following the announcement, Helprin was recognized by those closest to her. She was greeted Feb. 12 by messages of congratulations written on hearts posted on her office door. She also received a ceremonial sash created by an art teacher and many pink and white bouquets on her desk.
"You go into this because you love teaching and you love working with kids," Helprin told the Bar Harbor Times. "The community was so welcoming from day one. Everyone was wonderful and continues to be."
Helprin received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1985 and a master of science degree in educational administration in 1990 from the University of Akron. From 2000-2003, she participated in the Ohio Principals' Leadership Academy.
Prior to her appointment as principal of Pemetic Elementary School in 2002, she was principal of South Lincoln Elementary School, in Alliance, from 1997-2002. She was also assistant principal from 1992-1997 and a seventh-grade teacher from 1990-1992 at State Street Middle School in Alliance. She began her teaching career as a third- and fourth-grade teacher from 1985-1990 at Parkway Elementary School, also in Alliance.
Helprin was a "pioneer" mentor/coach in the MPA's Mentoring/Coaching Program for Principals. In this capacity, she worked with two novice principals over a four-year period. She is also tri-president of the Downeast Principals' Association.
Helprin is also active in a number of community activities. She is a member of the Southwest Harbor Waste Management Committee and the Early Childhood Taskforce.
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