Eric Fox Named Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year

Jenks Public Schools, in conjunction with the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA), announced recently that Eric Fox of Jenks High School has been named the 2019 Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP), a professional association of CCOSA. Fox serves as Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning at Jenks High School.
“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to tell the story of incredibly dedicated instructional leaders from across Oklahoma who serve as assistant principals,” said Fox. “The role they play in students’ lives, in hallways, cafeterias and gymnasiums, in supporting staff and investing in their communities is a demanding one, but a true labor of love.”
Fox, who spent time as a teacher and a coach at Jenks High School before becoming a principal, has held his current position for eight years and leads efforts at JHS in increasing awareness of diversity, promoting safety and well-being, and improving learning outcomes. He shares resources with his staff through a weekly Podcast-of-the-Week (POW), facilitates staff and student book studies, has created a student internship course and helps connects seniors with local businesses as part of the ICAP (Individual Career Academic Plan) implementation at JHS. Over the last two years, Fox has played an integral role in organizing PrepYou, the JHS Senior Conference in which seniors attend a series of sessions to help prepare them for life after high school.
“Eric is an outstanding principal who cares so deeply about students,” said Dr. Stacey Butterfield, Superintendent at Jenks Public Schools. “He works diligently to engage young people and provide the best possible educational experience, sets high expectations and takes pride in encouraging, assisting, and providing direction for teachers and staff members.”
“Eric embodies the drive for excellence that resonates with so many in the Jenks community,” said David Beiler, site principal at Jenks High School. “His passion for students and learning is evident in all that he does. Mr. Fox fully leverages his numerous talents to serve others, and I couldn’t be more excited to see him recognized as the state assistant principal of the year.”
Over the summer months, Fox teamed with teachers who volunteered to make the JHS media center accessible to students and families. With a bookmobile as part of the “Trojans Read The Way” program, Fox and several staff members visited apartment complexes around the district to engage students and parents in reading. With 3,400 students at Jenks High School, Fox has also coordinated efforts to establish standards-based approaches to assessments and portfolio-based finals.
“School leadership isn’t about a title or a position, but the ability to foster relationships,” stated Fox. “I am committed to building and maintaining relationships among students, staff and the larger community to leverage every resource available for the pursuit of excellence in all facets of school life.” 
Fox will be recognized as the Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by CCOSA and the OASSP at the CCOSA Summer Leadership Conference in June 2020. He will also be recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) at the NASSP National Principal Conference in July 2020 and is eligible to become one of three finalists to be named as contenders for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award. A judging panel will choose finalists based on their written applications, data provided and letters of recommendation, according to the National Association for Secondary School Principals.
“Assistant principals play a pivotal role in leading and supporting schools, and Eric Fox is an excellent example of the hard work, dedication, and creativity that principals across Oklahoma are applying to their work every day,” said Will Parker, OASSP executive director. “We are proud to recognize him as a role model for his school community and all Oklahoma school leaders.”
For more information about the Assistant Principal of the Year award or to learn more about CCOSA and OASSP, visit ccosa.org.
Founded in 1908, Jenks Public Schools is a suburban district consisting of approximately 12,500 students and 1,600 employees. Embracing a tradition of excellence with a vision for tomorrow, Jenks Public Schools is committed to the shared responsibility of preparing all learners for productive, responsible citizenship in an ever-changing world.

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