(Salem, Ore.) The Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) and the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) have named Sean Radford, Sutherlin High School Assistant Principal in Sutherlin School District, the 2024 Oregon Assistant Principal of the Year.
Radford has served in the role of Assistant Principal at Sutherlin High School for five years and in that time, has made a big impact on the school community. He is known for his steadfast commitment to the well-being and success of each student. 9th-grade on-track data is one of Oregon's leading predictive indicators of high school graduation. At Sutherlin, Radford leads the Freshman Success Data team, focusing on data-driven decision-making and a commitment to fostering care and academic growth. Under his leadership, Sutherlin has a remarkable 95% Freshman on-track-to-graduate rate and an overall graduation rate of 90% in the last two years, a strong reflection of Radford’s leadership and ability to lead and influence a school system for students.
Meeting students' instructional and social-emotional well-being needs is a core focus for Radford. Each student matters. Radford has helped the high school with gains in meeting the attendance challenges some students face. His innovative strategies recognize students' individual needs and have shaped incentives and restorative practices to identify and remove barriers to attending school. “Throughout his steadfast service, Sean's leadership qualities have been pivotal in fostering an environment of equity and restorative practices within our school,” said Sutherlin Principal Jon Martz. “His proactive approach to forging partnerships with community organizations, such as the invaluable collaboration with community services, has expanded support services for students, emphasizing a commitment that extends beyond academic needs.”
With students and staff, Radfrod has helped breathe a school climate that is both welcoming and engaging. This includes fostering a partnership with FARA (Family and Relationship Advocates) in his region and becoming a certified Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) trainer for the Sutherlin School District. He has trained each teacher and instructional assistant for kindergarten through 12th grade in CPI to ensure all instructional staff have the skills to support students.
“Sean Radford epitomizes all the Core Values established by our staff at Sutherlin School District,” said Superintendent Terry Prestianni. “In particular, he relentlessly seeks to assist students from every background to succeed academically and in life. Mr. Radford advocates for kids, is a great staff member, and is an even better husband and father. We are truly blessed to have him in our Sutherlin family.”
This award automatically places Radford in the running for National Assistant Principal of the Year, awarded by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. “COSA is honored to have Sean Radford as the 2024 Oregon Assistant Principal of the Year,” said Craig Hawkins, COSA Executive Director. “His leadership has made an outstanding impact on the Sutherlin school community. It is truly evident how much he cares for each student in his care.”
Radford will be recognized at the COSA Annual Conference in Seaside in June and at COSA’s Principals Conference in August. He will also be honored by NASSP as part of National Assistant Principals Week in April of 2024.