Damous and Meadows Chosen for First Institute

Two Putnam elementary principals were among the first participants in the West Virginia Institute for 21st Century Leadership, sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Education. Lexie Damous of Poca Elementary and Rebecca Meadows of Winfield Elementary were selected to represent the county at this summer's institute, which was the first in a series of principal's leadership institutes to be offered by the state.

The purpose of the institute was to educate principals about 21st Century learning. To that end, high performing principals were invited to study the state's framework of 21st Century schools, including common beliefs and values, curriculum management, instructional practices, school effectiveness, student/parent support, and systemic continuous improvement.

The work begun at the Institute didn't conclude with the end of the week. Both Damous and Meadows will continue working online and will meet with other participants again in December and March. They will also share their knowledge with other Putnam principals during the coming school year.

Next year, the Institute will be offered on a regional basis, and all West Virginia principals will have an opportunity to participate within the next six years.