Phenix City, Al.
Phenix City Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry DiChiara has been named Alabama/Classworks 2012 Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama.
DiChiara, who served as a central office administrator for Lee County Schools before taking the helm at Phenix City, said he is humbled and honored by the recognition.
“Although I was totally shocked and surprised by the announcement, it was my honor to accept the award on your behalf,” he told Phenix City employees in an email. “I am not only humbled by the selection, but am uncomfortable and a bit embarrassed by it.”
The superintendent is also a former principal, teacher and coach of Loachapoka High and Elementary Schools.
DiChiara told the Opelika-Auburn News he feels it is his employees who deserve the recognition.
“When I win an award, it’s kind of like a coach winning an award when it’s his players that scored all of the touchdowns, scored all of the baskets and hit the home runs,” DiChiara said.
He also credits the students, faculty and staff at Loachapoka for molding him into the administrator that he is today.
“If I am anything today worthy of being the state Superintendent of the Year, then certainly the folks at Loachapoka and the families and my colleagues that were there, they had something to do with it,” DiChiara said.
Dr. Eric Mackey, executive director of the School Superintendents of Alabama, said DiChiara deserves the honor.
“We’re very proud to have him represent Alabama,” Mackey said. “He is a forward-thinking superintendent, and very involved in his community. He’s done some really courageous things in Phenix City.”
Mackey explained that each year superintendents in nine districts nominate one of their own as a finalist for the award. After being nominated, the finalist must complete a long application process.
As Alabama’s Superintendent of the Year, DiChiara will be honored the American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education in February, according to the SSA.
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