Campbell Hill Elementary School Principal Zakariya Palsha won the 2013 Golden Apple Excellence in Education Award, which celebrates educators, programs and schools making a positive difference in Washington state education.

Hundreds of nominations for the 22nd annual Golden Apple Awards were submitted by students, parents, teachers and community members from across the state. A panel of education leaders and past award winners evaluated the nominees and selected this year’s winners.

“This award represents the hard work and dedication of the Campbell Hill Elementary family of teachers, staff, parents, students and community,” Palsha said. “We work together toward the same goal: to educate and prepare our students for a successful future.”

Palsha and his staff work as “a close-knit family” and try to involve the greater community in the education process. The school has formed partnerships with local organizations and businesses and is known for an environment that brings out the best in teachers and support staff.

In the past two years at Campbell, Palsha helped staff members improve classroom instruction by creating professional development around culturally responsive teaching strategies. The school increased family involvement by creating evening events and hosting math and literacy nights. The school has also enriched student learning with a new after-school program offering activities in reading, writing, math, drama, music and other extracurricular activities.

Palsha tries to bring in inspirational people to speak to his students a few times a year on the importance of academic success and creating goals for their futures. Guest speakers have included Sounders players, Seahawks players and a female body builder.

“The teachers, parents and I can tell the kids about this message but they really listen when we bring in people they look up to and admire,” Palsha said. “It also inspires them to see people from their community being successful.”

Palsha will join other Golden Apple Award winners at a ceremony at Seattle Repertory Theatre Jan. 17. The ceremony will air in primetime on KCTS 9 and other public television stations statewide in February 2014.