Feb. 17 — The relationships she began building years ago with her students and her dedication toward their academic progress has earned Frances Nungester Elementary Principal Shannon McCaskey the most prestigious award for an elementary principal in the state.
McCaskey received the Alabama National Distinguished Principal Award, an award signifying her as the top elementary principal in the state of Alabama. The school honored her Friday with an awards ceremony in the school gymnasium.
We’ve been telling people about Frances Nungester for a long time, said Decatur Superintendent Michael Douglas. (McCaskey’s) award today just reiterates the great work that is going on there.
McCaskey was nominated by teachers in the elementary schools of District 1 and members of the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators. The list was narrowed down from candidates out of the state’s 10 districts to just three finalists.
The gym at Frances Nungester Elementary was filled with teachers and over 300 Frances Nungester students as well as Douglas and several Decatur City Schools elementary school administrators.
The award presentation was a shock to McCaskey, who was overcome with emotion after walking inside the gym. Vic Wilson, executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, presented her with the award.
This means your principal is the top in the state, Wilson said as the students and staff responded with roaring applause.
Wilson said McCaskey will be honored by the state Legislature with a resolution and will also be recognized by the State Board of Education in October.
She’ll also be honored at Washington, D.C., at a national event in October, Wilson said.
In 2023, Hartselle’s Crestline Elementary Principal Karissa Lang earned the Alabama National Distinguished Principal Award and DCS Deputy Superintendent Dwight Satterfield won the award in 2009. Lang is on the National Distinguished Principal Selection Committee that selected McCaskey this year and said she discovered leadership qualities in McCaskey years ago when Lang worked in Decatur City Schools.
I was a principal at Chestnut Grove Elementary, so with her being at Frances Nungester, we served as colleagues, Lang said. One thing I think everyone says about her is her commitment to kids and how she’s going to do anything to make sure they get what they need. Her staff could not say enough amazing things about her. She is such a humble person. She is making a difference in these kids’ lives.
Brigett Stewart, chairperson of the National Distinguished Principal Selection Committee and a former recipient herself, said she noticed McCaskey was an exceptional leader.
She pours so much heart into this school. We just knew she was the one, Stewart said.
After 26 years in education and 12 years as the principal of Frances Nungester, McCaskey said she found the biggest priority for any school should be to build and maintain relationships and to always keep students safe.
I want them to be safe but I also want them to be loved and cared for, McCaskey said. All the decisions I make and every time I walk through that door in the morning, it’s for the kids.
There are 92.18% of Frances Nungester students who are economically disadvantaged, but they have maintained a B average on state report cards for the 2020-21 and 2022-23 school years. The secret to that success is building relationships, McCaskey said, and not just with the students.
I bring in a lot of people in my school to help kids, particularly churches, McCaskey said. First Bible Church next door helps out so much. The relationships I have built with people is how I’ve built success at my school.
Douglas said he believes McCaskey would be successful in any school.
I believe if you’re successful in a high-poverty school with a diverse population, then you will be successful anywhere, Douglas said. I think that’s what sets her apart is her ability to have a high standard of excellence.
