Kaplan Elementary’s Ford honored

KAPLAN — Ask any principal of a successful school and he or she will be quick to tell you that success is a direct result of everyone working together.
Kaplan Elementary Principal Andrea Ford is a believer in that idea. The panel selecting Vermilion Parish Principals of the Year certainly believes in what Ford is doing, naming her Elementary Principal of the Year.
“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award,” Ford said. “It is exciting for our faculty and our students any time we are recognized for our successes whether its individually or collectively.
“We all understand it is a total team effort for us to be successful.”
The award is simply a result of the processes that the faculty and staff of Kaplan Elementary implement at the start of each year. Ford has led those processes since taking over as principal in 2013.
“At the beginning of every school year the faculty and administration set goals and a vision of what we want to accomplish,” Ford explained. “We have a great deal of trust in each other and buy-in to our district’s vision. We pay close attention to our benchmarks during the school year and make necessary adjustments along the way. In the end I think it’s always rewarding to see everyone’s hard work come together and be recognized.”
There are personal aspects that Ford brings to the equation to try to help things go smoothly.
“I strive to be a servant leader,” she said. “I think its important to remain open to new ideas and constantly evaluate what you are doing. We spend time studying other schools that are performing at a high level and adopt their best practices. We have put an emphasis on building a strong culture at Kaplan Elementary.
“Its always exciting and rewarding to see it all successfully come together.”
Ford said plenty of support comes from outside of the school.
“Our district does a great job from the top down providing administrators and teachers with resources and the tools we need to prepare us for success,” Ford said. “I have been fortunate to work under great leadership as a teacher and an administrator. My family has played a huge role in my success as well. I am a firm believer that you are only as strong as your support system. I am blessed to have a supportive husband, parents, brothers, and in laws.”
Superintendent Jerome Puyau said the feeling is mutual in regards to Ford.
“Our district is fortunate to have great school leaders like Mrs. Andrea Ford,” Puyau said. “I offer my sincere congratulations to Mrs. Ford as being chosen Vermilion Parish Elementary Principal of the Year. She demonstrates the traits of a strong leader, which is essential for Kaplan Elementary to continue to offer quality instruction in a welcoming and safe environment.”
Ford is not the only award winner in the city. Kaplan High Principal Dr. Janet Guerrini is the High School Principal of the Year. It’s fair to say some good things are happening at Kaplan schools.
“Absolutely!,” Ford exclaimed. “The Kaplan community is a prideful community that understands the importance of academics. Our schools have a great parent, student, teacher relationship which is instrumental in the overall success of our students.”
Ford said she is happy to be exactly where she is, working with everyone to make Kaplan Elementary the best that it can.
“It takes a total team effort for a school to be successful,” Ford said. “I feel extremely privileged to get to work with such an amazing team here at Kaplan Elementary. Each of them play a vital role in our day to day success. They all share a piece of this award with me, as I am certainly not on this journey alone.
“Our growth at Kaplan Elementary is directly linked to our dedication to our students and to each other.”