Principal John C. McCleary's mantra of "Academics, Discipline, Pride" is producing strong results at Crowley County Ward Middle School in Ordway. Under his leadership, Ward Middle School was one of three low-income middle schools in the state to receive a 2001-2002 Title I School of Distinction Award. Mr. McCleary instituted a positive discipline program to praise students for good behavior, and created Mustang Meet-Ups in which pupils gather in small, informal groups to discuss issues such as bullying, self-respect, tobacco use and school improvement. A hands-on administrator, Mr. McCleary calls the parents of every student and personally invites them to parent-teacher conferences. Through his involvement in the American Heritage Foundation's No Excuses project, Mr. McCleary is currently working on funding and building a library to be shared by the school and the community.
1993 Adams State College, B.A.
