Southwood Elementary Principal Receives Regional Award

Southwood Elementary Principal Dr. April Sutherland was recently selected as the Kansas City Suburban Region Exemplary New Principal by the Kansas City Elementary Principals Association (KCEPA). Exemplary New Principals must be in their second or third year as a building principal to be considered for the award. Honorees are selected for their commitment to building excellence in the school community, developing programs designed to meet the needs of all students, and creating firm ties to parents and the community.

Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Leadership Dr. Anthony Moore shared, “Dr. Sutherland is an energetic, creative and caring school leader who leads with integrity and by example! Her positive attitude and spirit is contagious and demonstrative of her love for students. Dr. Sutherland's positivity and life exemplifies a quote by Maya Angelo that says, "People will forget your name and forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel!"  Southwood Elementary and the Raytown School District are fortunate to have Dr. Sutherland as their principal!”

Dr. Sutherland will be honored at the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) conference in March. Dr. Sutherland has served as the principal at Southwood Elementary since 2019 and began her career in the District in 2015.