Jack Lowe Elementary principal earns a top honor from the U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education has selected Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School Principal Sandra Barrios as one of 10 national recipient of the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership, which recognizes outstanding school leaders and the vital role they play in guiding students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances.

Barrios and the 9 other recipients will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony on Nov. 14 in Washington, D.C.

"Bell awardees have created environments where students and teachers thrive," Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said. "These principals are living proof that strong, transformative leadership is critical to student success."

Name for the second U.S. Secretary of Education, the Terrel H. Bell Award honors school principals for their outstanding work and the vital role they play in guiding their students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances.

When Lowe Elementary learned it had received the 2019 National Blue Ribbon School award, Barrios held back tears. Lowe Elementary was an Improvement Required campus just five years ago.

“To now see where this school is today and to be at the top in five years is a testament to these teachers, students and community pulling together so hard to make this school a better place,” Barrios said.