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Becky Pulsifer
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At South Elementary School, one school administrator is making big ripples in the lives of his students. A veteran educator, Nicholas Leonardos has changed his school for the better through his efforts to collaborate with teachers and raise standards for students. Under Leonardos' supervision, South Elementary School became the first in the district to implement a full-day kindergarten class. When budget cuts threatened the jobs of some of his teachers, Leonardos was quick to work with fellow administrators to find a different place to make the cuts. Those who know him call Leonardos' work "awe-inspiring," but to this Harvard School of Education graduate, it's all in a day's work. He points to several family members as the inspiration for his role as a principal: jobs in education seem to run in Leonardos' family. In 2006, Leonardos received wide recognition when he was honored with a prestigious Milken Educators Award of $25,000. In keeping with his outstanding and generous career, Leonardos promised to use part of the money to do something nice for his teachers.