Texas' Elementary Principal of the Year is from Grand Prairie

Texas Classroom Teachers Association names Catherine Bridges Administrator of the Year in elementary category

A Grand Prairie school administrator is receiving top honors from the Texas Classroom Teachers Association.

Catherine Bridges, Seguin Elementary principal, was named Administrator of the Year in the elementary category.

Third-grade teacher Cynthia Capocci said she nominated Bridges because she knew her boss is unique.

"She's doing something crazy -- like getting a pie in the face -- then at a faculty meeting, the teachers are working and then she is standing there; she is cleaning up after us," she said.

Capocci said Bridges cares about her 60 staff members and 550 students.

"It means that much to her to know each and every child's name," she said. "It's not just a general 'sweetie' or 'honey,' you know; she wants to call them by name."

Fourth-grade teacher Amy Henderson said she gets occasional texts from her boss when she works late.

"I will literally get a text at 6 p.m. that says, 'Go home. You worked hard today. I appreciate you. Now go home,'" she said.

Henderson said having a boss that truly cares is priceless.

"When you're a teacher, it's hard work, and we put in a lot of hours that the public may not know about. But our leaders -- when they do know, it makes us want to go that extra mile every day," she said.

Bridges is the first elementary school principal in Grand Prairie to be recognized statewide as administrator of the year. She said the honor is extra special because it comes from a group of teachers.

Bridges, who began her career as a teacher and became principal at Seguin Elementary two years ago, said no award can measure up to the joy she feels in doing what she loves.

"I wake up every day and I get to come to work and be a principal at the most amazing school in the state of Texas," she said.

Bridges will receive her award in Austin later this month.

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