The Association of Washington School Principals bestowed the honor on Eric DeJong, principal of Post Middle School, but many never heard about it from him. He had to be talked into applying for the award – and friends learned of the honor from others. “He didn’t even tell me about this,” says Bethany Pastor Kent Egging, who meets with DeJong and several other principals at 5:30 a.m. for Bible study once a week.
DeJong began at Post as assistant principal 10 years ago and became principal three years ago at the age of 30. According to the local newspaper, the school has undergone dramatic transformation since he arrived.
Test scores at the school, which currently serves 905 students, have continually increased and now exceed the state average in areas of reading, math and writing exams. Since 2002, pass rates on the reading portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning have increased from 43 percent to 80 percent.
Parents and students have praised DeJong who not only has increased testing levels, but also is popular. For losing a bet with students, he recently dressed in bell-bottoms as Sonny Bono to sing “I Got You, Babe.” His male assistant principal had to sing Cher’s part, much to the delight of students.
DeJong will represent the state when a national principal of the year is chosen. He also is slated to become principal of the school district’s second middle school when it opens in the fall.
