THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010270
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
James Britt, who has guided primary schoolers at J.C. Sawyer Elementary for almost seven years, has been named Principal of the Year for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank school system.
Britt, 55, was chosen by a selections committee and will be considered with principals from other northeastern school districts for the regional honor.
Selection will be based on a principal's community and school involvement, ability to improve students' achievement and stature among peers, co-workers and students.
Britt began his teaching career in 1965 in Wilson County and came to Pasquotank County five years later to be principal at Weeksville Elementary School.
Three years later, Britt was named principal of Pasquotank Elementary, where he remained for 17 years.
At J.C. Sawyer Elementary, Britt has helped implement a mixed-grade concept of instruction called ``multi-age family'' for the school's grades K through 3.
The school also has begun a ``Cradle to Classroom'' program that identifies future students and provides assistance to prepare them for school.
Britt earned his bachelor's degree from Atlantic Christian College, now known as Barton College, and a master's degree in administration from East Carolina University.
His wife, Patricia, teaches at Northside Elementary School. The couple have two sons; Jimmy is a construction management specialist in Farmville, and Clifton is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Local winners of the award, sponsored by Wachovia Bank, receive $200. The regional Principal of the Year will receive $1,000 for the school and a matching sum for personal use.
Diane Bradford of Elizabeth City Middle School won last year's local principal award. by CNB