WINNEMUCCA - Amy Nelson, current principal of Sonoma Heights Elementary in Humboldt County and former Lander County principal, won an award on Nov. 23 for administrator of the year from the Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB).
She was one of only two administrators in the state to win the award.
Earlier this year, the NASB asked superintendents and school boards across the state for nominations and White Pine County School District Superintendent Bob Dolezal, along with the district's school board, submitted a nomination for Nelson.
Dolezal said the nomination stems from work that Nelson did with White Pine County several years ago while she was a principal in Lander County.
The school district was having an issue with early adolescents behaving inappropriately, specifically as bullies, he said, and Nelson offered some information for the middle school principal, Aaron Hansen, regarding "bully surveys."
The surveys helped identify where bullying was occurring and explored student perceptions.
"The goal is not so much to punish them but to pinpoint why they are considered bullies," Dolezal said. "Some don't even understand how other kids perceive their actions as bullying."
Using the tool Nelson shared, Dolezal said they were able to significantly reduce the amount of bullying in schools. As a result, the district received positive feedback from parents and news outlets.
Nelson, he said, deserved to "have her bell rung."
Nelson's nomination recognizes her for her work developing positive school cultures and her innovation with students of all ability groups.
"I didn't expect it at all," Nelson said. "I was completely surprised."
Nelson, who went to the conference under the pretense that she was just "getting to know board members," said she had no idea that she had been nominated, especially by the White Pine County School District.
"I was just really honored," she said. "It was very thoughtful."
Hansen said that Nelson deserved the award for a lot of reasons, not just her collaborative efforts regarding bullying initiatives.
"She is a top-notch educator all the way around," he said. "She's always been very collaborative; she always shares stuff that's going to help kids."
According to the NASB, the administrator of the year award recognizes "the invaluable service provided to Nevada's children by professional school administrators." Selections are based on: length of service, school improvement and student achievement, unique contributions, effective professional development strategies for educational staff and innovative and successful practices which have resulted in increased student achievement in the school, district or state.
The award was presented at the NASB's annual conference in Reno and was presented by past President Carolyn Edward and current President Chris Miller.
Humboldt County School District Superintendent Dr. Dave Jensen said that Nelson was taken completely by surprise when she received the award.
"It's a tremendous recognition and honor for her," he said.
Jensen went on to say that the award is a reflection of her involvement not just in White Pine County, but in Lander and Humboldt counties as well.
Dolezal, who could have nominated an administrator from his own district, referred to Nelson as a "great administrator" who deserved the honor.
According to the NASB, the nomination was made by the White Pine County School District superintendent and board for an administrator in another county because they "will be forever grateful for her unselfish approach to working with schools within our region. She truly puts students first."
Nelson said that as the principal of an elementary school, "bullying" as it is commonly known, is not a huge issue; however, she said the school constantly deals with developing good character and helping kids make decision.
"At this age, it's more about not knowing how to make friends," she said.
One thing she said she would like to implement at her school is a "buddy bench," or a bench where students can sit when they don't have a friend to talk to or play with. She got the idea from an online post, she said.
For Nelson, helping people comes naturally. It's just her nature, she said - "it's just what you do when you care about the students."
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