Schools / Education news : Principal of Year Honor Awarded

Judy Roseberry, principal at Stanley Elementary School in Garden Grove, is Orange County’s Elementary School Principal of the Year.

“She’s one of those principals who likes to be out and about with the kids,” said Jeanne Clifford, president of the Garden Grove School Administrators Assn., which nominated Roseberry for the honor.

“She fosters self-esteem and warm, friendly attitudes. She sees good in every student.”

In choosing her as the county’s top elementary school principal, the Assn. of California School Administrators commended Roseberry for outstanding leadership abilities and commitment to student achievement.

A 36-year veteran of the Garden Grove Unified School District, Roseberry will be recognized Wednesday by the Orange County chapter of the state group at its sixth annual awards ceremony at the Irvine Marriott hotel.

The Orange County title automatically makes Roseberry a contender for the same award at the state level. The winner will be announced in late October.

Roseberry, a Fountain Valley resident, began her career in 1960 after receiving a master’s degree in education from Cal State Long Beach.

She taught fifth grade in Garden Grove Unified and worked with gifted children, becoming a supervisor for the district’s Gifted and Talented Education Program in 1976. She was appointed principal of Hill Elementary School in 1988 and moved to Stanley in September 1995.

Roseberry also serves on the board of directors of the California Assn. for the Gifted. She is a consultant on teaching gifted children and a frequent speaker on the topic at national seminars.