Helen Cox High School Principal Mark Perry has been named one of the state’s top education leaders. The Jefferson Parish Public School System High School Principal of the Year is among 24 of the 2017 Principal of the Year Semi-Finalists announced today by the Louisiana Department of Education.
These educators are making exceptional gains with students, pushing them to achieve at the highest levels in the state. All Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists and semi-finalists will be honored at the 10th Annual Cecil. J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium and Celebration on Friday, July 15 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Perry is the second JPPSS product this year to advance in the state’s principal, teacher, and student of the year programs. Keller Elementary fifth grader Samuel Korn was recently named a regional finalist.
Perry has been the principal of Helen Cox High since 2013. He’s also served as principal of Cuillier Career Center, assistant principal and dean of Higgins High, an adjunct professor at Delgado Community Collegeand a teacher at Dunbar Middle, Meisler Middle, and Florence J. Chester School.
Perry helped raise expectations and increase student proficiency across a number of subjects. Even with a laundry list of professional accomplishments and awards, Perry said one of his greatest contributions is the joy he gets shaping and directing the lives of young people.
“Every day that I walk into the school to face my beautiful students, they realize that I have high expectations for them to learn whatever is necessary,” said Perry, “and to become knowledgeable young men and women who strive for excellence and become lifelong learners.”
The Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year awards programs provide an opportunity to focus public attention on those educators who are making exceptional gains with students and pushing them to achieve at the highest levels in the state. Their commitment to student success exemplifies Louisiana’s teaching profession.
In partnership with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, the Louisiana Department of Education annually honors the state’s most exceptional educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs.