Patricia Pride is New Hardy Middle School Principal

Patricia Pride will be the new principal at Hardy Middle School, taking over the slot from Dr. Mary Stefanus who unexpectedly retired after the most recent school year.

Pride most recently served as the interim principal at Stoddert Elementary school in Glover Park. A principal selection panel there chose a new principal from outside DCPS, Donald Bryant, instead of appointing Pride as their permanent school leader.

Pride was one of two candidates presented to a Hardy principal selection panel Monday afternoon. According to a letter to the Hardy community from Chancellor Kaya Henderson, Pride was the selection of the principal panel, made up of parents from Hardy and feeder schools as well as teachers.

"We concur with your recommendation that Patricia Pride is the strongest candidate to lead the Hardy school community. I am happy to report that Ms. Pride has accepted the offer to be the Hardy Middle School principal. Her official appointment begins on July 29, 2013," Henderson wrote.
 
DCPS offered the following summary of the new principal's background:

"Patricia Pride began her teaching career as a biology, astronomy, and physical science teacher in Denver, Colorado. After ten years in the classroom, she transitioned into school administration as a dean of students in Douglas County, Colorado. Ms. Pride came to DCPS in 2008 as the assistant principal at Roosevelt Senior High School and has since served as the principal of both Jefferson Middle School and Stoddert Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Central Missouri State University as well as a master’s degree in education administration from University of Phoenix. "