Jefferson Parish Schools (JP Schools) named its district winners for the Louisiana Department of Education’s Principals of the Year program. These individuals are now eligible to compete at the state-level to become the 2022 Louisiana Principal of the Year.

This year’s honorees for JP Schools Principal of the Year include: Jenenne Coulon, Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary; Lisa Kendrick, JC Ellis Elementary; and Ira Wilson, Strehle Community School. 

“The Principal of the Year Award recognizes and celebrates the hard work, commitment, and high standard of excellence that our principals exemplify every day in our schools. I am proud to have such principals a part of our school system, as I believe it is qualities such as these that contribute to the overall advancement of our district,” said Superintendent Dr. James Gray. 

In partnership with the Louisiana Association of Principals and Dream Teachers, the Louisiana Department of Education annually honors the state’s most exceptional educators through the Principal of the Year program. The award recognizes those principals whose work has made a significant impact on their school community. 

JP Schools Principals of the Year:

• JP Schools Elementary Principal of the Year Jenenne Coulon has been principal at Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary for seven years and has been in service for a total of 21 years as a teacher, instructional coach, school support specialist, academic dean, assistant principal, and currently principal. Under Jenenne Coulon’s leadership, the school has achieved Top Gains, School Demonstrating Exceptional Growth, and School of the Month.

• JP Schools Middle School Principal of the Year Lisa Kendrick currently serves as principal of JC Ellis Elementary, a PreK-8 French and Spanish Foreign Language Immersion school. Her tenure as an administrator is one of proven school improvement and increased student achievement. Under Kendrick’s leadership, JC Ellis Elementary has been recognized as a Simulated Top Gains Honoree and Simulated Equity Honoree. 

• JP Schools High School Principal of the Year Ira Wilson has been the principal at Strehle Community School for six years and a school administrator in Jefferson Parish for 13 years. Under her leadership at Strehle Community School, student growth has increased, dropout rate has decreased, and behavioral discipline has improved. She has also implemented the Strehle FLEX program to assist over-age and/or under-credit students in obtaining their high school diploma. Wilson attributes student success to a focus of inclusive instructional practices and social-emotional learning.