TAVARES – Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay surprised Monique Griffin-Gay of Leesburg High School on Monday afternoon to tell her that she had been named the district’s Assistant Principal of the Year. Her next stop was South Lake High School, where she announced Steven Benson as Principal of the Year.
Benson began his career with the district in 2003 as a vocational education teacher. He was promoted to assistant principal of East Ridge High School in 2007 and principal of Clermont Middle School in 2013. He was appointed principal of South Lake High three years later in 2016.
“Working with Mr. Benson is a pleasure,” said Stephanie Foster, executive director for Region 3, which includes South Lake High. She and other district leaders accompanied Kornegay as she made the announcements. “South Lake has experienced continuous growth as a result of his steadfast leadership. He communicates high expectations and excellence and has an intentional focus on teaching and learning, all while supporting his faculty and staff to be their very best each day. We are so grateful to have him at South Lake!”
As the district’s Principal of the Year, Benson can now enter the statewide competition for the Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership, which honors principals who have spearheaded initiatives to increase student performance, promote safe learning environments and establish partnerships with community parents and community members.
Griffin-Gay, affectionately known as Dr. GG, joined the district in 2013 as a counselor at Leesburg High and was promoted to assistant principal there in 2018.
“Dr. GG stands out as a true leader and advocate for students and teachers,’’ said Renee Dudley, executive director for Region 2, which includes Leesburg schools. “Her unwavering commitment to fostering a positive learning environment inspires everyone around her. She has a remarkable ability to connect with students, always making time to listen and support them in their challenges.”
As the district's Assistant Principal of the Year, Griffin-Gay can now compete for the statewide Outstanding Assistant Principal Achievement Award, which honors assistant principals who have used teamwork and leadership skills to increase student performance, promote safe learning environments, and establish partnerships with parents and community members.