Self-described "student for life," Steve Ahle was named a 2006 “National Distinguished Principal” recently, one of only 66 principals across the nation and the only one in California to earn the honor. Awarded by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the honor is granted to one principal from each state as well as state department and defense schools.
Ahle accepted the award in a ceremony held at Pacific Rim Elementary School. His family and past and present teachers he’s supervised attended the event. Ahle will travel to Washington D.C. this fall to accept the award.
Ahle said he learned lessons as a student that serve him today as a principal, a university instructor, a karate black belt and a champion of student learning.
"I basically spent the whole fourth grade in the principal’s office," said Ahle, founding principal of Pacific Rim. "There was no focus on learning. They just tried to control me."
Now, as an educational leader, Ahle says he plays the role of gadfly by questioning national, state and district policies. His goal is not to annoy anyone, he says, but to raise questions that he believes result in greater student learning.
An educator since graduating from Cal State Long Beach in 1975, Ahle taught kindergarten, first and second grades until 1982, when he joined Carlsbad Unified School District as principal of Pine Elementary School. He also supervised various district projects. From 1989 to 1999, Ahle worked as principal of Pine and Jefferson schools. He founded Pacific Rim Elementary School in 1999.
Ahle instructs teacher candidates at Cal State San Marcos and MiraCosta College, and said he enjoys working with teacher candidates and new teachers.
Ahle accepted the award in a ceremony held at Pacific Rim Elementary School. His family and past and present teachers he’s supervised attended the event. Ahle will travel to Washington D.C. this fall to accept the award.
Ahle said he learned lessons as a student that serve him today as a principal, a university instructor, a karate black belt and a champion of student learning.
"I basically spent the whole fourth grade in the principal’s office," said Ahle, founding principal of Pacific Rim. "There was no focus on learning. They just tried to control me."
Now, as an educational leader, Ahle says he plays the role of gadfly by questioning national, state and district policies. His goal is not to annoy anyone, he says, but to raise questions that he believes result in greater student learning.
An educator since graduating from Cal State Long Beach in 1975, Ahle taught kindergarten, first and second grades until 1982, when he joined Carlsbad Unified School District as principal of Pine Elementary School. He also supervised various district projects. From 1989 to 1999, Ahle worked as principal of Pine and Jefferson schools. He founded Pacific Rim Elementary School in 1999.
Ahle instructs teacher candidates at Cal State San Marcos and MiraCosta College, and said he enjoys working with teacher candidates and new teachers.