GROSSE POINTE SOUTH PRINCIPAL NAMED 2008 METLIFE/MASSP HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Traverse City, Michigan--This year’s MASSP High School Principal of the Year is credited with providing much needed stability to a school at a time when the principal position had become regarded as a “revolving door.” D. Allan Diver, principal of Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Public Schools, was named the 2008 MetLife/MASSP High School Principal of the Year at the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principal’s Honors Luncheon at the MASSP Annual Convention on Monday, October 1, 2007. Under Diver’s stewardship, Grosse Pointe South has been named one of the top 100 high schools in the country.

Diver’s selection for this recognition was based in part on his strong commitment and leadership in the area of professional development. According to nominator, Matt Outlaw, assistant principal, Diver is constantly seeking new strategies and new programs that will be beneficial for students. Diver is credited with introducing the concept of Professional Learning Communities first to the school and eventually to the entire district.

“PLC’s have changed the culture of South and truly led us towards the collective inquiry needed to move our school forward,” Outlaw said.

Superintendent C. Suzanne Klein said that Diver is a change leader who is willing to put forth the extra effort needed to handle a wide range of tasks, including those that require risk-taking and “out of the box” thinking.

“As you observe him at work in any adult venue, you come away convinced that he will help those participating find a way to solve current problems, develop new solutions and create the best educational environment and program possible for students based on best practices and data driven analysis. Yet he relates easily to students and is just as at home “shooting hoops”, working with student leaders or making plans to support struggling learners for whom he has personal concern. He truly understands all facets of the high school administrator role and the impact it has on the school staff and its individual students.”

Diver will represent Michigan in the 2008/2009 MetLife/NASSP State and National Principal of the Year program.