Ocala alumna honored as Florida’s top school principal
EduGator alumna Jayne Ellspermann (MEd ’84, education leadership), the principal at West Port High School in Ocala, is Florida’s “Principal of the Year” according to the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA).
Jayne Ellspermann
FASA singled out Ellspermann based on her rich experience and longevity in public education and for raising academic scores at West Port.
Ellspermann is known for her focus on student achievement, staff training and campus pride. She recently instituted a “Power Hour” for students, empowering them to make informed choices for clubs and activities, and has seen her campus transform into an “A” school with the highest scores in the district. She also brought a college program to West Port, enabling students to earn their associate’s degrees on campus before graduating from high school.
Ellspermann joined Marion County Public Schools in 1980 as a high school social studies teacher. She rose through the ranks as testing specialist and assistant principal at two schools. She received her first principal appointment in 1992 and served in that capacity at Romeo Elementary, Osceola Middle, and West Port Middle schools before moving to West Port High in 2004.
She earned a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Georgia and a master’s in educational administration from the UF College of Education.
Ellspermann now represents Florida in the 2015 MetLife / NASSP National Principal of the Year competition.
FASA represents nearly 11,000 education administrators to support professional goals and enhance the quality of education.
