Ottawa High School’s Patrick Leonard named Principal of the Year

The Illinois Principals Association and Horace Mann named Ottawa High School Principal Patrick Leonard its Principal of the Year for the entire state.

Leonard was shocked when his daughters came into the meeting room with balloons followed by members of the IPA there to congratulate him.

“I was shocked to have been selected for this award, considering my years of experience and knowing the other individuals in this profession and how high of quality of people I network with,” Leonard said. “I’m very humbled, and I can say this wouldn’t be possible without the team here at Ottawa High School.”

Leonard has been the principal at Ottawa for the last seven years and he’s spent 29 years in education, starting out as a PE and health teacher before going into administration.

He said what sets him apart is the people he has to work alongside.

“You’re as good as who you work with, who you’re able to accomplish tasks and keep moving forward continuously for what’s best for our kids,” Leonard said.

Leonard said he thinks back to his coaching days when he thinks about how he’s made it this far as a principal. The leadership qualities needed for both jobs meshed well for him.

“The leadership part of the administration is very similar to a coaching background,” Leonard said. “You’re working with adults, you’re working with parents, you’re working with kids, you’re using data to make decisions and you’re able to make decisions quickly based on data like a coach would at halftime.”

Karen Triezenberg, the field service specialist with the IPA, said Leonard set himself apart with “his professionalism, experiences and accolades he’s accomplished in his career as a principal.”

The IPA helps mentor, coach and inform principals across the state along with providing professional development opportunities.