Matched Set

In the editorial “Results,” we lauded the Norfolk educator recently named National Middle School Principal of the Year. It shouldn’t go unnoticed that the Commonwealth has a matched set of 2006 principals of the year. Joining his colleague to the south, Mel Riddile of Falls Church’s J.E.B. Stuart High School was named National High School Principal of the Year Riddileby the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Despite the resistance of central administration, Riddile had every ninth-grade student tested to determine his or her reading ability. To call the test results an absolute disgrace would be putting it charitably. Seventy-six percent of the students were reading at least two years below grade level. Riddile and his staff went to work on reading programs designed to meet the needs of specific students. Unconcerned with the latest fads in education, he insists on making sure students can read on grade level by the time they graduate.

Riddile could put on a flight suit and strut across the cafeteria: Mission Accomplished. In a school where two-thirds of the students are learning English as a second language, 94 percent of them now pass statewide reading tests on their first attempt.

One of the keys to Riddile’s success is this: He doesn’t believe in making things easy. He sets goals high for his students, then doesn’t stop until achievement follows. This principal is a leader whose accomplishments are marked by the bettered lives of students. We join the principals’ association in acknowledging Riddile’s excellence.