M-DCPS Honors Outstanding Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year

M-DCPS Honors Outstanding Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) honored its finest principals and assistant principals at an awards ceremony sponsored by the Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA) this evening at the DoubleTree by Hilton.<_o3a_p>

Walter C. Hall, from Leisure City K-8 Center, won top honors as the District's Principal of the Year. For the past 20 years, Hall has been an educator at M-DCPS, eight years as a teacher and 12 years as an assistant principal at several schools, including Miami Southridge, Homestead, and Miami Norland high schools.<_o3a_p>

Hall recently won the 2025 Florida Taxwatch Principal Leadership Award, recognizing him as one of the state's 15 most successful principals from high-risk K-12 schools, based on school data and the interaction with students and the community.<_o3a_p>

"My educational philosophy, 'You can't teach what you can't manage' underscores the importance of creating a positive, well managed learning environment where all students feel respected and valued," said Hall.<_o3a_p>

Hall's efforts to improve the lives of his students go beyond the classroom. He introduced the Backpack Program with Caring for Miami, which helps needy students by giving them backpacks filled with food on Fridays, and the Mobile Food Market Initiative, which provides families at his school with fresh produce and groceries.<_o3a_p>

Melissa M. Miller of Frederick Douglass Elementary School was recognized as Assistant Principal of the Year. A 14-year education veteran, Miller was a teacher and reading coach for eight years before becoming assistant principal at Shadowlawn Elementary School for two years. In 2021, she became an assistant principal at Frederick Douglass Elementary School.<_o3a_p>

Upon her arrival, her goal was to increase the number of students performing at grade level. The school created the initiative GLEAM (Grade Level Engaging Affirming Meaningful Instruction) to help every teacher understand that engaged students who feel validated are less likely to be disruptive. Three years later, the school now has a B-rating, and proficiency levels have increased in language arts, math, and science. <_o3a_p>

"Meaningful instruction is essential in education, and when students engage in meaningful learning experiences, they feel empowered to take ownership of their education," said Miller.<_o3a_p>

Tiffany C. James from Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School won Principal of the Year Runner-up, and Tiffany Hayes, Norland Middle School, won Assistant Principal of the Year Runner-up.<_o3a_p>

The Principal of the Year winner will receive a $2,000 cash prize and a three-year lease on a car sponsored by Headquarter Toyota. The Assistant Principal of the Year will receive a $1,500 cash prize and a three-to-five-day cruise with an ocean view stateroom courtesy of Royal Caribbean Group..<_o3a_p>

This event is made possible through a partnership with Headquarter Toyota, Equitable, United Healthcare, EdFed, Royal Caribbean Group, Gassant Enterprises, Curriculum Associates, Horace Mann Educator's Corporation, BENCOR, Hand2 Mind, Arey Jones Educational Solutions, and Corebridge Financial.<_o3a_p>

For the most up-to-dateinformation, please download the Dadeschools Mobile App to your iPhone or Android device. Follow us on X @MDCPSand @SuptDotres, on Instagram @miamischools and @suptdotres, and on Facebook at MiamiSchools.<_o3a_p>

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