This week marked a momentous occasion for two exceptional individuals as Superintendent Massey surprised them on campus with the announcement of a prestigious honor. Andrea Ham of Madge Griffith Elementary School has been named BISD's Elementary Principal of the Year, and Keith Fuller of Rasco Middle School has been recognized as BISD's Secondary Principal of the Year.
Every year, BISD honors two campus principals for their exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to the profession. Andrea Ham and Keith Fuller have been acknowledged for their commitment to excellence and their efforts in shaping the educational environment.
Andrea Ham - Elementary Principal of the Year
Andrea Ham, serving as the principal of Madge Griffith Elementary School for the past 3 ½ years, brings 20 years of educational experience to her role. Before her leadership at Griffith, she was the assistant principal at A.P. Beutel Elementary, worked as a high school teacher for five years, and was a program facilitator for the Brazoria-Fort Bend Regional Day School for the Deaf for eight years.
Andrea’s educational background began with her foundation as a Special Education teacher and as a special needs program facilitator. She believes that these experiences have contributed greatly to her current position as principal. Ham is fluent in American Sign Language and Spanish but finds that speaking directly to the school’s current deaf parents is quite fulfilling.
Andrea makes it her personal mission to get to know students by name and what they are learning or reading for the week. She loves standing in her “spot" every morning to greet her students. Andrea takes the time to ask teachers to share students’ accomplishments so that she may celebrate with them by visiting them one-on-one. She always tells her students how proud she is of them. Andrea Ham not only prides herself on building relationships with students, but she also makes a point to get to know the parents and families of her students through various school events and home visits. Of course, building strong relationships at the school definitely includes the teachers and staff of Griffith. Celebrating the accomplishments and milestones of the teachers and staff is extremely important to her. As Ms. Ham states, “I am only as good as the people I lead, and the great work that they do supports each student.”
Andrea Ham was named BISD Assistant Principal of the Year in 2019-20 and while serving as the assistant principal of A. P. Beutel, the school was selected as a National Blue Ribbon School. Ham has led Madge Griffith to become a PBIS Model school for the past two years.
Keith Fuller - Secondary Principal of the Year
Keith Fuller brings 18 years of experience in education to his role. Serving as principal for the past two years at Rasco Middle School, he has demonstrated his dedication to creating a positive learning environment through collaborative efforts among teachers to ensure student growth. With a background as a teacher and coach for nine years, followed by seven years as an assistant principal, Keith's diverse experience equips him with a solution-based outlook on any situation.
Keith actively contributes to the professional development of his fellow principals and district leaders, sharing past experiences and problem-solving skills during meetings, thus enriching the collective knowledge and expertise within the district. “I am always willing to share my past experiences, and by all of us sharing situations and our methods, our overall experiences help us pool our knowledge and problem-solving skills together,” he shares.
Superintendent Danny Massey expressed his congratulations stating, “I am honored to recognize Andrea Ham and Keith Fuller as principals of the year. Their dedication to student success and creating a positive learning environment exemplifies the spirit of leadership that we cherish in BISD.”