Surprise principal earns prestigious award

Freedom Traditional Academy Principal Connie Wolford received the prestigious Exemplary Principal Award from Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson on May 16.

Wolford was surprised with the award at a meeting while surrounded by fellow district principals and administrators.

“Connie Wolford has done an amazing job at Freedom Traditional Academy,” said Dr. John Croteau, superintendent of the Dysart Unified School District. “Under her leadership, the school is ranked sixth in the state, is A-rated, and has the highest test scores among all schools in the area. We’re so proud of Connie’s accomplishments, and are honored to have her serving Dysart students each day.”

The Exemplary Principal Award recognizes leaders who understand the connection between a thriving school culture and high levels of student achievement and teacher retention. These leaders intentionally and strategically nurture school environments where teacher and student voices set and realize the school’s vision. They lead schools where students achieve academically and emotionally, and teachers are inspired to remain at the school and in the profession.

“It is an honor to recognize Connie Wolford as an Exemplary Principal,” said Maricopa County School Superintendent Steve Watson. “Connie is a data-driven transformational leader with a strong vision for student and staff success. She has created a warm and collaborative culture at Freedom Traditional Academy that reflects high expectations and unwavering support. Connie is a true champion for education who builds capacity in all those around her, and her leadership, compassion, and commitment have resulted in a sense of connection, collective efficacy, and fun that can be felt throughout the FTA campus.”

Award recipients undergo a rigorous evaluation that involves a superintendent nomination, application, teacher survey, video interview, site visit and extensive data review. Criteria for selection includes the ability to: actively engage staff, parents and community members in developing an effective school culture; utilize data to guide instruction and decisions regarding staff development; consistently demonstrate high teacher retention; and successfully develop and inspire others.

Wolford has served in the Dysart Unified School District for 15 years, starting in the district as a Language Arts teacher at Mountain View School.

She taught fifth, seventh and eighth grades at various times, and became an assistant principal in 2016, serving in this role at Luke Elementary School, Kingswood Elementary School and Mountain View School.

She has been at Freedom Traditional Academy as principal since it opened in 2019, and the school has been “A”-rated by the state of Arizona since its inception. Wolford was also recently named a 2024 Dysart Hero for her outstanding service to the district and community.