Caddo Parish Names Principals of the Year

Congratulations go out to Caddo Parish Public Schools' Principals of the Year.

They are Renee Ellis at Westwood Elementary, Scott Aymond at Ridgewood Middle, and Gerald Badgley at C.E. Byrd High School. They were chosen based on their commitment to academic excellence and moving the needle for students.

"Each of these outstanding principals embody what it means to be Caddo," said Caddo Schools Superintendent Lamar Goree. "The long days and sleepless nights each of them know all too well are done for the best interest of the children on their campuses. They know what it takes to benefit student learning and work tirelessly to do whatever it takes to be leaders that teachers and students need and deserve. I applaud each of our winners."

Ellis, Aymond and Badgley now move on to the Department of Education's Principal of the Year regional competition.

Here's a little bit about each of them, courtesy of Caddo Parish Schools:

Renee Ellis, Elementary School Principal of the Year

When Ellis arrived at Westwood Elementary three years ago, she knew there was a long road to bring the struggling elementary school out of decline. Armed with a dynamic administrative team and high expectations, Ellis transformed Westwood into what is lovingly referred to as The Ranch. From the Western-themed music playing over speakers throughout the campus to the cowboy hats donned by leaders, Ellis pushed for a complete revamp of the school’s climate and culture - an aim to create a unique environment for Westwood’s students.

“Being named the Elementary Principal of the Year is an unparalleled feeling of celebration and joy,” Ellis said. “This recognition is bestowed on those who truly exemplify ‘kids come first.’ It goes without saying that this award is OUR win. It is an honor to be the leader of the fearless Westwood TEAM. Together we have worked tirelessly to create a safe haven of academic excellence and community of leaders."

Scott Aymond, Middle School Principal of the Year

Scott Aymond bleeds Ridgewood blue. Aymond began his education career as a teacher at Ridgewood and has risen through the ranks with positions including that of a coach, assistant principal and principal. Along the way, his focus remains constant on the power of collaboration for the sake of students. Aymond engages and supports his administrators and teachers to be a part of decision-making at the campus. Additionally, he fosters a campus built on expanding the experiences of students and has worked with community organizations such as the Norton Art Gallery to make that a reality.

“I look at the Principal of the Year award as a team award,” Aymond said. “It belongs just as much to my administrative team and my teachers as it does myself. To me it is a recognition of the hard work that my administrative team and my teachers have been putting forth over the past several years. Our teachers have met any requests, mandates, etc. with positive attitudes and committed effort. We are Caddo!"

Gerald Badgley, High School Principal of the Year

There’s nothing like mammoth campus lovingly referred to as the City of Byrd and Badgley works each day to build on the Line Avenue school’s lengthy legacy. Badgley, a former student of Byrd, spent his teaching years looking to former Byrd principal Lynn Fitzgerald as a mentor. Fitzgerald’s lessons continue to echo in Badgley’s mind as he works to provide a rich and well-rounded experience for the school’s more than 2,200 students. The school has greatly improved Advanced Placement participation, dual enrollment expansion, graduation rates and students attending colleges and universities.

“This is a kind of way of congratulating the faculty, staff and kids,” Badgley said. “If they didn’t embrace the things I do in terms of moving our school forward, none of this would be possible. I’m not a person who is fond of the limelight, but this recognition is one that really speaks to what they have done for our school and what we’ve been trying to do for a period of time."