10/17/11 Lincoln Junior High School Principal Dan Funston has been named the District 2 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals (ASP). He will be recognized on November 20 at a celebration inIndianapolis.

District 2 includes the counties ofElkhart,Fulton, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall,

Saint Joseph and Starke.

One principal is chosen by their peers every year from each the 12 districts. The state-wide winner will be announced at the November 20 meeting.

Presenting the award to Funston will beASPStatePresident Mark Seele, Executive Director Gerald Mohr, Associate Executive Director Todd Bess, and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson John Price.

ASP has 2000 building level administers on their roles.

Funston has been the principal of LJH for the past four years. He has served as a principal for a total of six years, administrator for eight years, and a teacher for six years.

Additionally, he is involved in the community as a youth baseball and basketball coach.

Forwarding letters on Funston’s’ behalf to the committee were parent Amy Gerard, student Ian Bardwell, LJH science teacher Bob Garrity,Technoloy Curriculum Director Janice Curtis, and Superintendent Dan Tyree.

Some of their comments are listed below.

Gerard said, “Mr. Funston encourages high values and encourages all those around him to be moral.” She added, “He is visible and approachable.” Gerard said, “I appreciate Mr. Funston’s ability to problem solve situations in a quick and logical manner.”

Bardwell said, “First there are his personal aspects. He knows everybody’s’ name. Second, he keeps the school safe.”

Garrity called Funston “the working definition of the  21st century principal”.  He added, “As an innovator, Dan (Funston) has pushed our school into new areas of educational technology. LJH is one of the few schools in the state to have successfully implemented a compete 1:1intitiative with Macbook laptops for every student.”

Curtis said, “Dan (Funston) has this uncanny ability to make things happen.”  “Dan Funston is the most well-rounded principal I have ever worked with.” Curtis said.

Tyree called Funston a “tireless worker” who always works “smart”. He also credits Funston with having a school that is focused on the best interests of students.  

Carol Anders Correspondent