Elizabeth Wilkerson

Wilkerson was named New Principal of the Year for the central region by the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, and was honored at the group's conference at Osage Beach in March.

"I've just started doing all this. I've won teacher awards, but not as principal," she said.

The award is given to 13 second- or third-year principals across the state.

Before coming to La Monte, Wilkerson was a teacher and coach in Kennett, in southeastern Missouri.

"I interviewed, liked the job, and accepted it, landed up here," Wilkerson said.

She is listed in "Who's Who Among American Teachers" and was nominated for the 2006 Wal-Mart Teacher awards.

Wilkerson pointed to her involvement in the principals' organization and the Reading First grant awarded to the school as factors in her selection.

La Monte superintendent Joan Twidwell is proud of Wilkerson's achievement.

"It's nice, it's always nice when we can highlight positive things that are going on in the district. We're very proud of her," she said.

Twidwell said Wilkerson has been instrumental in helping revise the school's curriculum, and works well with teachers.

"She is very visible in the classrooms," Twidwell said.

La Monte tends to get principals beginning their careers.

"Because of our size, we typically attract people that are looking to get into administration," she said.

This is the first time the organization has given the award, said Twidwell.

"I was very happy for her [Wilkerson]. She's obviously well thought of by her peers and colleagues, and very active in the various organizations," she said.

Allison Elyse Gualtieri is a reporter with The Sedalia Democrat and this article was published with the permission of that newspaper.