MASON CITY – School Administrators of Iowa has named Lori Cooling, associate principal and activities director at John Adams Middle School in Mason City, as the 2021-22 Iowa Assistant Secondary Principal of the Year.
“Congratulations to Lori for being chosen as Iowa’s Assistant Secondary Principal of the Year. She has been instrumental in leading dramatic improvements in the building’s disciplinary approach, climate and culture and overall school safety. Her excellence in holding staff and students to high expectations while providing them the resources and knowledge to get there is one of her many accomplishments as a leader,” said SAI Executive Director Roark Horn.
A committee of Iowa assistant secondary principals selected Cooling for the award. She will be recognized during SAI’s Annual Conference in August. As Iowa’s recipient, Cooling is a candidate for National Assistant Principal of the Year, an award sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Selection is based on the leader’s contributions to the learning environment, student interests and voice, staff morale and community support. Also, the individual’s leadership in inspiring and motivating others to achieve and contribute to the educational environment is considered as well as the earned respect of students, colleagues and the community at large.
Cooling has served in a leadership capacity at John Adams Middle School since 2015. Her career in K-12 education began as a physical education and freshmen seminar teacher in Colorado Springs, CO. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Northwest Missouri State University and completed the Professional Principal Licensure program at the University of Phoenix in Colorado Springs.
SAI, a statewide organization founded in 1987, represents more than 1,900 Iowa educational administrators. SAI’s mission is to support, encourage and develop Iowa’s educational leaders and learners.