Parade will cap week’s worth of celebrating assistant principal
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Photos courtesy of the Putnam County School District – Palatka Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal Michael Chaires holds the award he received for being named the state's Assistant Principal of the Year.
A Palatka Junior-Senior High School assistant principal can add another accomplishment to his resume after state officials declared him No. 1 on Thursday.
The Florida Department of Education named Assistant Principal Michael Chaires the 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year. Chaires, whom his colleagues and students have supported during the decision-making process, said the award came as a surprise.
“I appreciate all of the love and support that I’ve received from everyone,” Chaires said in a statement.
Earlier this month when it was announced Chaires was one of three finalists, Palatka High Principal Cathy Oyster described him as a humble man with an unmatched work ethic. While Chaires doesn’t strive to be in the spotlight, other school officials want to celebrate his accomplishments.
People who want to salute Chaires’ dedication to education are encouraged to go to Palatka High at 3:15 p.m. today when school administrators will host a parade for Chaires.
“We are extraordinarily proud to have Mr. Chaires selected as Florida’s Assistant Principal of the Year,” Oyster said in a text message. “His dedication to the school and this community has been unwavering. He is so deserving of this prestigious recognition and (we’re) proud to call him a Panther.”
The commemoration will close out a week of school spirit in the assistant principal’s honor.
Oyster said faculty, staff and students spent the week dressing in the colors of the University of Florida, Chaires alma mater, dressing like him and taking part in other activities to show their support.
Putnam County School District officials called Chaires a perfect example of leadership and dedication. Superintendent Rick Surrency said he was proud of Chaires’ award.
“He exemplifies the qualities of a highly effective educational leader by always putting students and staff first in all decisions he makes,” Surrency said in a text message. “Michael is an outstanding leader who the state has recognized as a model for other assistant principals.”
Among 67 nominees for Assistant Principal of the Year, Chaires was selected alongside Kristin Stevens and Holli Winter, assistant principals in Lee County and St. Johns County, respectively, as the finalists.
Chaires is a Palatka High alumnus who has worked at the school for 19 years and is in his fifth year as one of four assistant principals. He taught social studies and was a school counselor before becoming an assistant principal.
The assistant principal award is the third state-level award Putnam officials have won in recent years. In 2023, Surrency was named the Florida Association of District Schools’ top superintendent. Four years ago, then-Moseley Elementary School Principal Sarajean McDaniel was named Principal of the Year.
