Surprise Elementary School Principal Named Arizona PTA Educator of the Year

EL MIRAGE - August 7, 2009 - Thanks to the efforts of Principal David Dumon, Character now Counts more than ever at Surprise Elementary School.

Dumon's creation of the school's Character Counts program, which celebrates a selected admirable character trait each month, is one of multiple key programs he's initiated over the past nine years to improve the culture and learning environment on the Dysart Unified School District elementary school.

It turns out the educational community statewide have taken note of Dumon's good work. His overall impact both at school and within the community led Dumon to be named as the Arizona PTA Educator of the Year during the organization's statewide convention in June.

"We nominated Dr. Dumon ...because he is essential to our community and is the backbone of our school," said Beth Simek, president of the Surprise-EL Mirage PTA Council. "He is visible, tangible and accessible to all our parents."

According to Simek, the Character Counts program has resulted in a 67-percent decrease in discipline issues at Surprise Elementary since its inception. Other programs Dumon has initiated include:

• Creating a Parent Expo during Parent Teacher Week where parents can learn how the school is helping students "grow, learn and succeed."
• Creation and participation in March 2 Math and Walk 2 Read programs where students receive individualized assistance in both disciplines based on their skill sets
• Helping  the PTSA Executive Board implement parent involvement classes, a teen dating violence prevention program, a canned food drive and a Thanksgiving turkey drive for families in need.

Dumon said he had no idea what to expect when he was invited to a weekend breakfast during the Arizona PTA convention - he admits he really only attended because he wanted to show his support for the school's hardworking PTSA.  Needless to say, he was shocked when he heard his name called as the organization's educator of the year.

"I feel very honored," said Dumon, who credited the stability of his staff as a major factor behind the success of his programs.

Dumon's award was just one of the convention highlights for the Dysart Unified School District.  The June meeting also was the setting for origination of the new Surprise- El Mirage PTA Council.  The new council, according to Simek, hopes to provide "...support, training and create a sense of community that our PTAs haven't felt before."

Simek said the Surprise-El Mirage PTA Council, comprised of the Ashton Ranch PTA, Kingswood PTSA and the Surprise PTSA, is the first to be formed in the state in more than a decade. The first general meeting of the Council is scheduled for 6 pm on Sept. 3 at Surprise's Dysart Education Center.