WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Boozman visited with Benton Middle School Principal Elizabeth Sue Shults in Washington, D.C. last week and commended her for being  honored as a 2011 National Distinguished Principal (NDP).

Boozman met with Shults in Washington, D.C while she was there to be honored at an awards banquet hosted by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).  The organization bestows the award to recognize public and private school principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities.

“As a former school board member I understand how influential administrators are in educating young minds.  Sue displays a passion and commitment to the young people at Benton Middle School that is truly inspirational. By honoring Sue with this award, it is clear her peers recognize that as well,’ Boozman said.  “We are proud of Sue’s efforts to make Benton Middle School a great place to learn and to give our students of a brighter future.”

The NAESP cited the results of Shults’ students’ benchmark test results as an example of her exemplary leadership.  Benton Middle School seventh graders last year ranked first in Arkansas in science, fifth in the state in literacy, and 11th in the state in math based on assessment scores of schools of similar size.

Shults became principal of Benton Middle School in 1999.  Prior to that, she served as the school’s assistant principal for four years and as an English teacher at the suburban site for nine years. The school currently enrolls 765 sixth and seventh graders.

Shults has a B.S. and an M.S. from Ouachita Baptist University.  She was one of 61 principals named as NDPs at this year’s banquet.