For Release: 2009-08-17 13:46:00
As children all over the country return to school, parents keep in close contact with their child's teachers and friends. However, many parents don't know what one of the most important figures in the school building, the principal, does. This fall, PBS turns the spotlight on school principals with a new documentary, "The Principal Story," and KET offers a panel discussion about educational leadership in Kentucky and meets some of the Commonwealth's outstanding principals."The Principal Story" is an intimate, one-year journey following two dynamic principals attempting to improve student achievement in their schools. Tresa Dunbar is a second-year principal at Chicago's Nash Elementary, where 98 percent of students come from low-income families. And, Kerry Purcell, a six-year veteran, leads in Springfield, Ill. 's Harvard Park Elementary, which has similar demographics. Part of PBS' acclaimed P.O.V. series, the program premieres Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET1.
In addition, KET's Kentucky Principals, Leading by Example, a televised panel discussion hosted by Bill Goodman, looks at the difference it makes in Kentucky public schools when principals are the academic leaders. The program airs one hour before "The Principal Story" at 9/8 p.m. CT.
Kentucky Principals, Leading by Example also meets two outstanding Kentucky principals. Opal Dawson, principal of Jefferson County's John F. Kennedy Montessori Elementary School, and, Stephanie Sullivan, principal of Graves County's Central Elementary School and Kentucky's 2009 National Distinguished Principal.
P.O.V. "The Principal Story" is produced by American Documentary, Inc. Kentucky Principals, Leading by Example is a KET production, produced by Judy Flavell and Lynda Thomas. This project is part of The Principal Story outreach campaign, which is made possible by a grant from The Wallace Foundation, a source of ideas for improving school leadership. Visit www.wallacefoundation.org/principalstory. For more information and research about education leadership, visit the Wallace Knowledge Center at www.wallacefoundation.org . More information about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.
Contact: Amanda Dawahare
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