In her more than three-decade career, Grenada Upper Elementary School Principal Carol Tharpe has found much success.
She excelled as a teacher at elementary schools in the Delta and Grenada, has written several successful grants, had her school named the healthiest in Mississippi and led the charge for Grenada School District’s fourth- and fifth-grade campus’ three-year improvement from a C-rated school to its current A rating.
Until recently, the 64-year-old educator thought she had accomplished it all. She was mistaken.
Tharpe, who is entering her 27th year with the GSD and 35th in education, was recently named National Distinguished Principal (NDP) of Mississippi by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for her leadership style and for significantly raising student achievement scores, according to NAESP officials.
“At first, I thought it was probably just somebody trying to sell me something,” Tharpe said with a grin. “I was so surprised about it and humbled. I didn’t think it could be possible because it is quite an honor; you never expect it.”
Prior to taking over as principal six years ago, Grenada Upper Elementary School was rated a C school by Mississippi Department of Education standards. In her first year at the helm, Tharpe led her team of teachers and support staff to a low B rating. In her second year, the school was four points shy from scoring an A, which was attained in her third year.
“I was so incredibly proud about that because it’s very difficult,” Tharpe said. “They’re looking at your data and I was able to take this school from a C to an A in three years, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of because no one has ever done that.”
GSD Superintendent Dr. David Daigneault sang Tharpe’s praises.
“We are incredibly proud that Carol is the National Distinguished Principal for Mississippi,” Daigneault said. “She has done an outstanding job in managing every aspect of her school and has created an environment where students flourish and teachers embrace the idea that education is so incredibly important. She is one of the best administrators that I have ever seen. She is committed, dedicated, focused and driven; all of the positive words that you want to hear about somebody. We are so excited to say that the top elementary school principal in Mississippi is from the Grenada School District.”
However, Tharpe admits that she didn’t make the big leap on her own.
“This staff is an incredible group,” she said. “I really consider myself a service-type leader. One thing that I’ve always done is make sure they have all that they need. You hear all of these stories about teachers not having all of the things that they need or they have to purchase a lot on their own. So they have what they need and they are well trained. I knew I had to make sure everybody was well trained and they knew exactly what they were doing, and what the end goal was. I’ve been able with the help of a lot of very talented people around me to do that.”
The veteran educator continued to brag on her staff.
“You can’t do it by yourself, you’ve got to have those talented people around you,” Tharpe said. “I tell Dr. D all the time, I know all principals think they have the best staff, but I know I do. They are super talented and high energy; I love that, that’s what I look for. They have enthusiasm, love for the profession, love for children, which is the most important thing for me.”
In addition to increasing test scores, Tharpe has also expanded students’ classroom experiences with programs such as an after-school book club that continues to grow. The school has also hosted student-parent events such as Family Literacy Night, Math Carnival Night and Mad Science Night.
Principal honorees are selected by NAESP state affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools. Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.
“While the pandemic has tested every aspect of our society, including schools, principals have continued to lead dynamic learning communities and serve as a beacon of hope,” said Dr. L. Earl Franks, CAE, NAESP’s executive director, “NAESP’s National Distinguished Principals program recognizes the outstanding leadership of highly successful principals and is a heartfelt ‘thank-you’ to these exceptional school leaders.”
Tharpe will represent the Mississippi Association of Elementary School Administrators during the 2022 NDP program in October in Washington, D.C. The 2022 class of NDPs will be honored during a two-day event that culminates with a formal awards banquet on Oct. 7, at The Willard, the historic 5-star hotel near the White House referred to as the “Residence of Presidents.”
“I think it’s amazing,” Tharpe said. “I’m incredibly proud about it. It’s wonderful to represent this school, this district and then the state.”
Tharpe was recognized by the state in June during a conference in Biloxi in front of 250 of her peers.
“It’s a huge honor,” Tharpe concluded. “I was incredibly humbled. I was thrilled, excited.”
