PUYALLUP, Wash. — Rogers High School Principal Jason Smith started his day on Monday with a big surprise.
The Puyallup principal walked into the school library on the morning of May 13 expecting a regular staff meeting. Instead, the longtime teacher was presented with the award for Educator of the Year.
A colleague secretly nominated Principal Smith for Jostens Educator of the Year, a prestigious award given to only one other educator in the country.
"Our theme at Rogers is very simple. We love kids and teach and that's what we do--we show up every day for them, we love them, we hold them accountable, we teach them, we educate them and its an honor to do what we do, that's how you have to look at it," Smith said.
Principal Smith said he was initially speechless, surprised and honored. He will be honored at a national celebration in Florida over the summer break.
