2008 National Middle School Principal of the Year – James S. Dierke

James. S. Dierke, Principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco Unified School District, was awarded the 2008 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year. His selection as an outstanding principal is based on changing the school’s climate, building teams, spearheading reform, and collaborating with community members.

James Dierke has worked with the faculty and students to develop a strong sense of leadership, ownership, and pride in the school, which the San Francisco Chronicle called “an island of safety in a sea of trouble.” Congratulations to Mr. Dierke and Visitacion Valley, a model GEAR UP middle school.