Denise Barth named Elementary Principal of the Year

Mrs. Denise Barth, principal of Catawba Trail Elementary School in Richland School District Two, has been named the 2017 South Carolina Elementary Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). This award was presented on Wednesday, November 30 in a surprise announcement.

Mrs. Barth was selected from an outstanding field of administrator candidates by a veteran panel of judges. The other finalists for the award were Janet Fickling from Midway Elementary School in Lexington School District One, and Tim Carnahan from Waccamaw Intermediate School in Georgetown County School District. The criteria used in the selection of this coveted award are set by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. State sponsors are Horace Mann & Herff Jones.

“We are excited to announce that Denise Barth has been named the SCASA Elementary Principal of the Year,” said Beth Phibbs, Executive Director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.  “She is an extraordinary leader whose enthusiasm and innovation creates a culture and climate at Catawba Trail Elementary that encourages all children to succeed.”

Richland School District Two Superintendent, Dr. Debbie Hamm, stated, “Denise Barth is the true embodiment of what the South Carolina Elementary Principal of the Year Award program stands for and what a person can accomplish when they put others before themselves and are not afraid to venture into the unknown. We are beyond thrilled that the S.C. Association of School Administrators has selected her as the South Carolina Elementary School Principal of the Year. Denise always goes the extra mile to make sure every student, teacher, and staff member under her care finds success through their individual gifts and talents. Our state could not ask for a more energetic or innovative representative in the National Elementary Principal of the Year program.”

SCASA, the professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, has more than 4,000 members. From professional development opportunities and research, to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA’s focus is to support school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.