The Texas Association of Journalism Educators is delighted to recognize Patricia Crittendon, principal of Klein Forest High School in Houston as its Administrator of the Year.

Ms. Crittendon has served at Klein Forest for three years in her current position and was named the Klein ISD Secondary Principal of the year in 2011. As a previous member of a yearbook staff in high school, Ms. Crittendon has a heart for scholastic journalism.

Klein Forest publications adviser, Sue Blackmon, said, “There are some principals who, quite frankly, are not much more than a puff of hot air! Patricia Crittendon, on the other hand, puts her money where her mouth is. Like many schools across the country, our yearbook sales were declining while the cost remained constant. The staff tried all sorts of marketing campaigns, and Mrs. Crittendon was supportive of everything the yearbook staff wanted to do, even blaring loud music in the commons to draw attention to the sales area and showing yearbook-produced music videos during homeroom.”

With Ms. Crittendon’s suggestion to use a focus group, the school came up with a plan to include the yearbook with senior dues, something previous principals wouldn’t allow. She pledged $10,000 to offset the lower cost of the book to students so the quality could remain the same.

Blackmon said, “I consider her a true friend of publications. She appreciates what my students and I do and constantly tells us and writes notes to students when they win contests or place in competitions. Students know she cares about them and they appreciate that, and so do I. Mrs. Crittendon is all about awards and recognition for the school, her teachers and students, but is not about recognition and awards for herself.”

This kind of selfless dedication to a school district and to scholastic journalism is why we are proud to recognize her as the TAJE Administrator of the Year.