Birney Elementary's Jacqueline O'Sullivan Named Elementary Principal of the Year

The Association of California School Administrators has named Birney Elementary School Principal Jacqueline O'Sullivan the Elementary Principal of the Year for California.

O'Sullivan was also chosen as Elementary Principal of the Year for ACSA Region 14, which covers schools in Los Angeles County.

"It's very exciting," O'Sullivan said in a phone interview with Redondo Beach Patch.

According to a news release from Redondo Beach Unified School District, parents within Birney's boundaries used to send their children to other public elementary and private schools; however, that's changed since O'Sullivan took over in 2005.

O'Sullivan prides herself in making strong connections with families; in fact, she volunteers to read bedtime stories to her students.

She said she began the tradition four or five years ago after a parent suggested it would be a "really fun prize" for the school carnival's silent auction.

"It's one of my favorite things to do, and it's created a really nice community here because people feel comfortable having me in their home," O'Sullivan said.

Her dedication to her students, almost all of whom she knows by name, has attracted parents back to the school.

"This year, we transferred our daughter from private school to Birney Elementary," parent Julie Justus McGinity said in the news release. "School principals are so critical to developing overall excellence--high expectations for students, an involved parent parent community and a motivated and innovated staff.

"We have found this excellence at Birney."

O'Sullivan also said she was unaware she'd won the regional prize until she received an email from Superintendent Steven Keller congratulating her on her win.

Winners from each region compete for the state honor. As California's Elementary Principal of the Year honoree, O'Sullivan is now entered in the national competition.

Additionally, Redondo Union High School Principal Mary Little was named Secondary Principal of the Year for ACSA Region 14.

Little, who started in RBUSD as Redondo Union's Associate Principal in 2003, has seen enrollment rise 25 percent and more students than ever taking Advanced Placement courses during her time at the high school.

"We're so proud of Mary Little, not only for her continued leadership, but for promoting excellence at RUHS," Redondo Union PTSA President Tina Marvray said in a news release. "Her passion and leadership is dedicated to the students, staff, administration, as well as the community."

Both O'Sullivan and Little are scheduled to be honored at the ACSA's Region 14 Administrator of the Year Awards Night in Long Beach.

O'Sullivan will also be honored for her statewide achievement at a ceremony in Sacramento in November.