Patrick Leonard got a surprise when three of his daughters and some representatives from the Illinois Principals Association interrupted a meeting he was in this afternoon. He’s the Principal of the Year. Leonard says even though he applied for the award, he didn’t expect the statewide honor because of all the good principals out there. He credits all the people he works with.
He’s been at Ottawa High for seven years and was at Serena High School for ten years before that. Leonard has worked in education for 29 years. The Illinois Principals Association says Leonard was chosen among all the applicants because of how he advocates for students and works with everyone to make school better.
In this clip, Patrick Leonard explains he decided to become a principal because in some ways it’s like coaching sports.
Left to right: Patrick Leonard, daughters Shelby, Ainsley, and Darby, and Illinois Principals Association Field Service Specialist Karen Triezenberg. Patrick’s children Ryan, Brady, and Kiara are watching the presentation via cell phone.