BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — T. J. Ebert, who attends St. Joseph Parish with his family, was selected as Ohio’s 2018 National Distinguished Principal. Ebert is principal of Redwood Elementary School in the Avon Lake City School District.
The award was conferred by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators June 15.
In October, Ebert traveled to Washington, D.C., for two days of activities planned to honor the elementary and middle-level educators chosen by the states.
“Mr. Ebert was nominated and selected by fellow principals through a statewide search process” conducted by the association, said the executive director, Julie Davis.
The selection process includes an extensive application, interviews, and a school visit from a team of colleagues.
In addition, candidates must be active in schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local organizations.
Comments by colleagues about Ebert included: “The three words used to describe Mr. Ebert are enthusiastic, passionate and engaged. It was very clear that he is all three,” and “He believes in saying ‘we’ instead of ‘me’ and always brings decisions back to doing what is best for kids.”
Ebert earned his bachelor’s degree at Kent State University and a master’s in education administration from Cleveland State University. He received his superintendent license in 2011.
Ebert has been serving as a principal for the past seven years.
Caption:
T.J. Ebert stands next to the marquee of Redwood Elementary School in Avon Lake, Ohio, where he serves as principal. Ebert was named a National Distinguished Principal of 2018. (Photo courtesy of T.J. Ebert)
As published in Horizons, Dec. 2, 2018. Sign up for the Horizons e-newsletter.