Principal receives state award for leadership

Lena Whitmore Principal Kendra McMillan is not a principal who leads from her office. Her weekly goal is to visit every classroom at least once a week and every morning she can greet each one of the school's 300 children by name.

Her personal dedication to students earned her this year's Idaho Gem Award for exceptional administrative leadership in the state.

"She is an amazing leader not only for Lena Whitmore but for the region and state as well," said Deb Long, regional coordinator for the Idaho Building Capacity Project.

Long began the nomination process for McMillan at the end of last year, when she collected letters of recommendation from not only the district superintendent and teachers but from the entire staff of Lena Whitmore Elementary.

Every staff member at the school contributed to a mass letter, which was sent to the Idaho Association of Elementary School Principals. McMillan knew she was being nominated for the award but was not aware of how much support she received.

"I didn't realize I was being nominated by the entire staff. It's an honor to be nominated but incredibly meaningful to be nominated by the entire staff," McMillan said.

The mass letter is now framed and hanging on a wall in her office.

McMillan leads Lena Whitmore as the head of what has come to be known as the "Lena family."

"She makes meaningful connections with all the kids," said Tiffany Ringo, a third grade teacher at Lena. "She knows their strengths and struggles and it's evident to the students that she cares about them."

Beyond her connection with the students, McMillan said the staff, parents and volunteers are a big part of the family culture in the school.

"It's very unique that they enjoy what they do and who they do it with," she said.

The family dynamic at the school shows in McMillan's philosophy as a leader: "Nobody cares how much you know unless they know how much you care. I could be the best principal in the world but if they don't know I care about them, it doesn't matter."

Since McMillan came to Lena Whitmore almost three years ago, she set up a staff book club and student council. She tackled data assessment to improve curriculum. Her diligent review of student performance has kept Lena students' test scores among the highest in the district and the state. This year, Lena was granted a five-star rating from the state and rated 20th in the state for excellence.

"In this day and age in education, it's important we honor people who are doing great things," said Lori Maxwell, a fourth grade teacher at Lena and president of the Moscow Education Association.

McMillan said she was shocked when she was notified she won the Gem Award about two weeks ago, but insists she does not deserve all the credit.

"The students, parents and staff bring out the gemness in me," she said. "I want to be a better leader because of them."

Estelle Gwinn can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 301, or by email to egwinn@dnews.com.