On Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Escambia County School District (ECSD) School Board recognized the District’s Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.
Christine Baker, principal of West Pensacola Elementary School was named ECSD Principal of the Year. Latasha Jordan, an assistant principal at Pine Forest High School was named ECSD Assistant Principal of the Year.
Ms. Baker has served as the principal of West Pensacola Elementary School since July of 2017. Because there is a large autistic student population at West Pensacola, Ms. Baker can often be found in autism classrooms, as well as teaching in general education classrooms, when substitutes are not available.
Ms. Baker is a data-driven leader, who schedules weekly data meetings with each grade level. She fosters an environment in which teachers are comfortable setting learning targets for reading and math, and equips them with the time and tools necessary to meet those targets.
Ms. Jordan is a true servant-leader at Pine Forest High School. Her calm and even-keeled demeanor is essential to student and teacher success on campus. Under her leadership, PFHS’s graduation rate has reached an all-time high of 87.6%. Although she would never take credit, her efforts in leading the curriculum efforts at PFHS have been unparalleled.
Her personalized, hands-on approach with at-risk students instills persistence and determination in those students, and is instrumental to their success. According to PFHS principal Deborah Ray, Ms. Jordan is humble, loyal and dedicated.
The Escambia County School District is extremely grateful for the countless contributions and for the unique leadership styles of Ms. Christine Baker and Ms. Latasha Jordan.