Miami-Dade County Public Schools honored winners and runner-ups for District Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Dade Association of School Administrators (D.A.S.A.), was held in late March at Jungle Island.
Jose Bueno, who serves as principal of Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High School (HML), won top honors as the District's Principal of the Year.
Bueno, a Miami Lakes resident and a product of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, has served as both a teacher and school administrator in different schools since 1993. He taught geography, social studies, and civics prior to becoming an assistant principal at Citrus Grove Middle School. By 2003 he had become principal of Jose Marti Middle School.
“It was awesome to hear the superintendent call out my name,” said Bueno on his win.
However, Bueno is quick to shine the spotlight on his colleagues, noting that the improvements made thus far at HML would not be possible without his administration and teachers.
“I think that great teaching is what makes a school,” said Bueno. “Fortunately for us here at HML, we have great teachers. We need that to continue to facilitate improvements and most importantly, make sure the students are getting the most out of their education.”
Bueno is familiar with the improvements, having increased school grades at every school during his career as principal.
It was at Jose Marti where Bueno began his letter grade-raising streak. In three short years, Bueno raised the school grade at Jose Marti from a “C” to an “A”. He then became the founding principal of Country Club Middle School where once again he championed the school from a “D” to an “A” during the 2007-2008 school year, an accomplishment only completed by three other schools.
In 2010, Bueno took over a struggling HML and once again raised the school grade from a “D” to an “A”. HML students have since experienced additional academic opportunities such as the launch of the iPrep Academy, one of only nine in the county, in addition to advanced placement and dual enrollment courses.
The iPrep Academy at HML, complete with internship opportunities, a free laptop, fully wireless in-school "iVillage", rigorous coursework with blended classes, and a small classroom setting, meets all the standards of the iPrep Academy's slogan: Innovative, integrated, and interactive.
Bueno received a plaque, certificate and $3,000 as part of his award, from top sponsors AXA-Equitable and Wells Fargo. Bueno also received a gift basket from event sponsors including gifts from 94th Aero Squadron, Britto Central Inc., Compass Lerning, EdGenuity, Herff Jones, Marco Island Marriott, Marco Polo Beach Resort, Miami Children's Museum, Miami Marlins, Miami Seaquarium, Nova Southeastern University, Voyager Sopris, Seasons 52, Smith & Wollensky, Newport Beachside Hotel and Coco Key Orlando.
When asked if he has future improvements for HML in mind, Bueno said simply “Always.”