G. Patrick Rhodes, a 1982 Elon graduate a principal of Riverside High School in Durham, N.C., is the 2004 Principal of the Year for Durham Public Schools. Rhodes, principal at Riverside since January 2000, will represent Durham in the regional competition in the awards program sponsored by Wachovia Bank and the Department of Public Instruction.
The regional awards competition is not new for Rhodes. At neighboring Orange High School, where he was principal from 1996 through 1999, Rhodes was named Orange County Principal of the Year and represented the Central Region in the statewide competition in 1999.
Riverside High School has developed an outstanding reputation for strong school-community relations under Rhodes’ leadership. The school is inviting to parents, and the students are involved in Durham’s first service learning program for high school students.
The academic performance of the school also has made significant improvement. Newsweek magazine recognized Riverside as one of America’s Best High Schools last year because of the school’s strong Advanced Placement performance. On the state testing program, the ABCs, the school posted its highest performance composite ever in 2003, earning School of Progress distinction.
Rhodes attributes a large part of the school’s success to major improvements in the school’s climate and work culture. He does not believe a school can be a great place for students until it is a great place for teachers. That is why he places emphasis on improving teacher working conditions, including purchasing telephones for their classrooms, eliminating weekly faculty meetings, and establishing a more supportive school environment.
“Pat Rhodes is a wonderful role model for new and aspiring principals. The fact that six of his former assistant principals now have schools of their own is indicative of his leadership abilities,” said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. “We’re very proud of his work at Riverside and delighted that this outstanding principal will represent our district in the statewide competition.”
Rhodes has completed doctoral work and holds two master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rhodes began his education career as a science teacher at what was then Lowe’s Grove Junior High School in Durham before teaching in Chapel Hill and Orange County. He was technology administrator and assistant principal before being named principal of Orange High School in 1996.
A committee comprising several Durham Public Schools principals and the district’s Teacher of the Year selected Rhodes after reviewing nomination portfolios. He will now compete with other local award recipients from the Central Region of the state. From the six regions, one principal will be selected as North Carolina’s 2004 Wachovia Principal of the Year. This is the 21st year Wachovia Bank has sponsored the award.