By Brenna Eller
McPHERSON, Kan. — Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce Cara Schrag, Roosevelt Elementary School Principal as the most recent recipient of the Classroom Hero Award presented by Peoples Bank and Trust.
Each month, Ad Astra Radio randomly selects a different educator, from community nominations, to receive the Classroom Hero Award, along with a “Thank You” gift basket. Gift items are courtesy of community partners, including Peoples Bank and Trust, Midway Motors and Stutzman’s Greenhouse.
Principal Schrag has been leading the staff and students at RES for two years now.
Prior to her current position at Roosevelt, Schrag was an administrator in both the Nickerson and Hutchinson school districts.
Schrag earned her Undergraduate degree at Kansas State University and obtained her master’s degree at Fort Hays State University.
Before starting her career in administration, she taught at Washington Elementary School (3rd grade for one year and 5th grade for two years).
Schrag, who is originally from Kansas City, met a farmer while she was at K-State, which brought her to McPherson, a place she is happy to call home.
“I love it, I absolutely love it,” Schrag said. “It’s wonderful.”
When sharing what she enjoys most about her job, Schrag said it’s the people she works with and having a team to get through everything together.
“Every day is different, which is so fun, but probably the best part about Roosevelt is the staff and the family,” Schrag said. “The community feeling is just…it’s unmatched. That’s been the greatest blessing coming in, you always feel like you are part of a team.”
Schrag was described as “amazing” in an anonymous nomination submitted. She was also credited with transforming the school within the two years she has been at Roosevelt Elementary and helping the staff feel driven and motivated.
“She not only leads by example, but she makes us feel seen, heard and noticed in everything she does,” the nominator added. “She values her staff and will be “in the trenches” with us regardless of the situation. She is an amazing support system, she is encouraging and makes Roosevelt a place where all want to be!”
According to the nominator, Principal Schrag implemented structured behavior programs for some of the most challenging students at the school and created a structured environment for a few students who require their own safe space during the day where they can be successful.
Not only has she been an incredible leader in the eyes of her staff at Roosevelt, but Schrag has also shifted the mindset in how the teachers structure their classrooms, and has helped them meet the needs of their students.
Schrag’s dedication, hard work and intelligence is shown in the ideas she brings to the school. One example being a Social Media committee she has incorporated, showcasing the “amazing things happening” with the teachers at the school every day.
The Classroom Hero Award seeks to highlight the hard work and dedication of those on the front lines in our local schools. Nominations are continually being accepted at https://www.adastraradio.com/classroom-hero.
Ad Astra Radio has been locally owned and operated since 1986 and is proud to be your hometown radio station.
