Germantown Elementary School Principal Walter Reap has been named a recipient of the Distinguished Educational Leadership Award by The Washington Post. Reap is one of 21 principals representing Washington-area school districts to receive the award.
“It’s very exciting to be recognized and it means a lot to me,” Reap said. “It also means a lot and is great recognition for our entire school community, and for our teachers, parents, students, and partners who have bought into and contributed to our vision for what we want this great school to be.”
Reap has worked in education for 19 years, the last eight in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. He has been principal at Germantown Elementary since 2007, and assumed the post after two years as assistant principal at the school.
Miranda Franco, a fifth-grade student at Germantown, wrote a letter supporting Mr. Reap’s nomination in which she lauded his ability to connect with students through his insistence that Germantown is a “Premier School” where students can soar, like their Eagles mascot.
“Mr. Reap encourages us to be respectful, responsible, and safe every day,” Miranda wrote. “He spends time with the students and is even learning Italian with us so he can communicate with the students in two languages! I think Mr. Reap makes a difference!”