
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 14, 1995                   TAG: 9510150012
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKE CO. PRINCIPAL GETS NATIONAL HONOR

Margaret Moles, principal of Oak Grove Elementary School in Roanoke County, was one of 57 elementary and middle school principals from throughout the United States and U.S. schools abroad who were recognized Friday as 1995 National Distinguished Principals.

Moles and the other principals were honored at an awards banquet in Washington by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

The distinguished principals were selected by the principal organization's affiliates in each state and the District of Columbia and by committees representing private and overseas schools.

Moles, who was named Virginia's outstanding principal earlier this year, was the state's selection for the national honor. She is on sick leave from her Oak Grove post.

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley praised the principals, saying they have shown the leadership that can mean success for a school and its students.

"The job of leading schools in their mission to help students get on the right course to make the most of their lives is never easy," Riley said in remarks prepared for the banquet.

"Today's principal must inspire both teachers and students to reach challenging standards for learning, and must also help draw in critical community support for the school's mission to educate each child," he said.

Riley presented each principal a plaque and a brass school bell at the black-tie banquet. The principals also were taken on a White House tour.

The Department of Education and the principals' organization began the program in 1984 to recognize public and private school principals who make outstanding contributions to their communities.

Moles was cited for her interpersonal skills, school management and staff development. She has helped establish a mentoring program for school administrative interns through Virginia Tech.

Moles' award is the second major one for Oak Grove Elementary. The school won the Advocacy for Children award this year for having the top Parent-Teacher Association in Virginia. The award was created by the national PTA organization.

by CNB