NH School Leader Earns National Recognition

NASHUA, NH U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona has announced Jennifer Cava, Director of the Academy for Science and Design (ASD), as one of nine leaders nationwide to receive the prestigious 2024 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. This highly selective national recognition celebrates Cava's exceptional educational leadership and coincides with ASD's designation as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon Achievement Gap Closing School.

"Schools that raise the bar count on school leaders who raise the bar," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "As recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award, you have driven change, shaped school cultures, and fought for excellence in education. The Bell Award recognizes your relentless dedication and celebrates your impact on your school and your students." During Cava's fifteen-year tenure at ASD, a STEM-focused chartered public school serving New Hampshire students in grades 5-12, the school has achieved remarkable success including recognitions as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2017) and EDie School of Excellence (2019), while consistently placing among top schools in various state and national ranking systems, such as US News and World Report.

Even more meaningful than these accolades, according to Cava, is that she sees authentic evidence at school each day that that ASD is “fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and inclusivity, where students from diverse backgrounds are empowered to pursue STEM futures.”

Cava's influence in STEM education reaches far beyond ASD's campus. As a current member of the Board of Directors for the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS), she actively advocates for excellence in STEM education at a national level. Her dedication to fostering STEM talent in New Hampshire earned her the prestigious 2022 TechWomen|TechGirls Tech Educator of the Year award from the NH Tech Alliance, recognizing her impact on the state's future workforce.

New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut praised Cava's achievements, stating, "Jennifer Cava has been instrumental in the ongoing success and remarkable achievements taking place at the Academy for Science and Design. Not only is she a prominent school leader here in New Hampshire, but her vision of excellence and high expectations for the entire student body and staff at ASD have made a lasting impact on her school community. New Hampshire is proud to have Jennifer in its repertoire of outstanding leaders and we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to her for receiving this well-deserved recognition."

The U.S. Department of Education, together with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Association for Middle Level Education, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, present the Bell Awards to principals of National Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding work and the vital role they play in guiding their students and schools to excellence, frequently under challenging circumstances. “It comes as no surprise to the ASD community that Jennifer Cava is a recipient of this award,” shared ASD Board Chairman Rick Bartle, “Her steadfast commitment to ASD’s students, faculty, and staff has been a major part of the school’s success. Education leadership is challenging, and Jennifer has led ASD with boundless compassion, energy, and creativity over her 15 years as a school leader”.

Cava, the only Terrel H. Bell Award recipient from the New England region, will be honored during the National Blue Ribbon Schools awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. next month.

Link: U.S. Secretary of Education Announces Recipients of the 2024 Terrel H. Bell Awards for Outstanding School Leadership

CONTACT:
Pamela Bailey, (603) 595-4705 or Pamela.Bailey@asdnh.org