<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/School-LIMS-Mona-Lise-Dickson.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2586" title="School-LIMS Mona Lise Dickson" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/School-LIMS-Mona-Lise-Dickson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>COLUMBIA – A Beaufort County middle school principal has been honored for outstanding performance in a state program that trains educators in the kinds of skills used by  successful business executives.<!--more-->

Lady’s Island Middle School Principal Mona Lise Dickson graduated this summer from the Executive School Leadership Institute, a one-year course that brings together principals from across the state to develop and refine their management, communication and instructional practices.
This year’s class recognized Dickson for her dedication and leadership
skills.

“She essentially was recognized by her peers for having the greatest impact on the whole group’s learning experience,” said Sally Barefoot, director of the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Leader Effectiveness.  Barefoot said Dickson was recognized with the Tenenbaum Award, named for former State Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, who created the institute 11 years ago.

“Since its inception in January of 2000, 31 people have received this honor,” Barefoot said.  “It’s a tradition that reflects the
seriousness, academic rigor and depth of the program.”

Before becoming principal at Lady’s Island Middle School, Dickson served as principal of Whale Branch Middle School, and at Beaufort High School as an assistant principal, Dean of Academics, and as a math teacher and girl’s varsity basketball coach. She has 17 years of service in public education.

Strong school leadership has a major positive impact on teacher quality, school performance and student achievement, Barefoot said.

The Education Department’s Office of Leader Effectiveness runs the Executive School Leadership Institute in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, N.C.