Originally Published April 2023
Contact: Dr. Mike Hernandez
Executive Director
E-mail: m.hernandez@theaaea.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mr. Steven Helmick, Principal at Don Roberts Elementary School in the Little Rock School District, was Named Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) Principal of the Year.
LITTLE ROCK, AR – Steven Helmick, Principal at Don Roberts Elementary School in the Little Rock School District, was recently named the 2023 Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) Principal of the Year. Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director, and Dr. Jermall Wright, Superintendent of the Little Rock School District, presented Mr. Helmick with the award at his school on March 31.
This award is given each year to an Arkansas elementary level principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students and has been acknowledged by peers for exemplary contribution to the profession.
Mr. Helmick has served as principal at Don Roberts Elementary for five years, serving previously as its assistant principal for three years. Mr. Helmick is dedicated to the education of Arkansas students and very deserving of this award as evidenced by the following comments:
"I have seen him strive to live out his school’s mission of engaging, encouraging, and equipping students for educational and personal excellence in a diverse and global community. Finding creative ways to engage with students and his community are at the heart of Mr. Helmick’s leadership philosophy. Through different partnerships with his school’s PTA, Mr. Helmick has slept on the roof of his school, shaved his head in front of his student body, been taped to the walls of his building, silly stringed by students and he has been slimed from head to toe all in celebration of students reaching different milestones and goals! If there is a fun way to get students involved and excited, Mr. Helmick will do it." Darian Smith, Executive Director of Elementary School Leadership
"The motto of our school is 'Do the Right Thing,' and Mr. Helmick always does. Mr. Helmick has high ethics and principles. Even if it is not simple. First, he asks, 'is it right for kids?' Then, 'would he want this for his kids?' He is not afraid to take a risk or do something hard if it's the right thing to do... He holds staff, parents and students accountable for their actions but is always willing to support them when they need interventions to improve." Julie Stewart, Assistant Principal
"As the principal of one of the largest elementary schools in the state, Mr. Helmick has been able to flawlessly transition his classroom experience into successful school leadership. [He] works tirelessly at strengthening our school's achievement and community as he juggles the complex responsibilities associated with a school's finances, legal obligations, relations with the school board, staffing needs and other administrative tasks... Mr. Helmick is a stellar teacher, an amazing educator, and a phenomenal boss and principal. His example and methodology are relevant to instruction and school leadership today." Jeffrey Whitlow, Teacher