Alice's Grandson Receives Honor

Riverside principal gets system-wide honor
From The Durham News

James Key of Riverside High School has been recognized as Durham Public Schools' Principal of the Year. Key will now represent Durham Public Schools in the 2008 North Carolina Wachovia Principal of the Year competition.

Key was chosen by a committee of former principals of the year and DPS administrators. The next stage of the competition is regional, and then the six regional winners will advance to the final level. One principal will be chosen from these regions as the winner of the 2008 North Carolina Wachovia Principal of the Year award.

Key has led Riverside since 2004. Prior to this, he served as principal at Carrington Middle School.

Key received both his undergraduate degree and a master's degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. No stranger to recognition, Key was named the 2nd Best Principal in the Triangle by The Independent Weekly in 2008 and was recognized as Teacher of the Year at both Riverside High and Chewning Middle School. Key also taught social studies at middle- and high-school levels. In addition to his background in education, Key was an American Defense Leadership Award and Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army in 1989 and served for 10 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

"Jim Key is a leader among leaders and very deserving of this great honor," said schools Superintendent Carl Harris. "... Jim fosters the kind of spirit that is critical to a school's success. We are confident that he will represent DPS well in regional and state competition."