Linda Shepherd-Miller, principal of Lake Minneola High School, has been named Lake County’s Principal of the Year for 2020-21.
Shepherd-Miller, lovingly known by students and staff as “Mama Hawk,” now qualifies to be considered for the statewide Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership. The program honors leaders who have spearheaded initiatives to increase student performance and promote safe learning environments, often through partnerships with parents and community members.
Under Shepherd-Miller’s leadership, Lake Minneola High School is the district’s only A-rated high school this year. Also, she was recently recognized by the Florida Association of School Administrators as a “Principal of the Day” during its observance of October as National Principals Month.
Linda is an amazing example to her students, parents, teachers and staff,” reads one of the peer nominations. “She leads by example. She is always positive and available.”
Shepherd-Miller began her Lake County Schools career in 1986, when she was hired as a speech/language instructor. She was later appointed Dean at Carver Middle School and at Umatilla High School, then Assistant Principal at South Lake High School and Leesburg High School. She was named Principal at Carver Middle in 2000 and became Principal at Lake Minneola High in 2010.
