Bio: Downen, J. Terry (Principal of the Year 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Downen, Harty, Douglas, Nelson

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (20 October 1983)

Downen, J. Terry

The principal of Owen-Withee High School has been selected as one of three "Wisconsin Principals of the Year."

J. Terry Downen, principal at Owen-Withee since 1979, was recognized as the outstanding high school principal. He is among the first group of educators to be honored through the "Principal of the Year" program initiated this year by Herbert J. Grover, state superintendent of public instruction. The program is meant to recognize principals who exemplify the highest standard of school administration.

When Grover notified Downen recently, he said, "Your selection is well earned personal recognition. But beyond that, you serve as a representative for all exemplary principals in Wisconsin whose leadership well serves our public schools."

Downen earned a bachelor's degree in English from Carroll College in 1969 and a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1973. He has continued earning additional graduate credits in summer sessions at UW-Platteville.

Before joining the Owen-Withee school district, Downen was principal of St. Croix High School in Solo Springs and earlier taught English and Latin at Milton Senior High School and Oconto Falls High School.

As principal at Owen-Withee, Downen has instituted a complete reassessment of graduation requirements; developed UPLIFT, a dropout prevention program; and updated the curriculum in all areas.

The principal is an educator first, an administrator second," Downen said. "This means he must teach - teach by word and by deed. Indeed, he must live the role of school and community educational standard bearer."

District Administrator Gerald Nelson said of Downen, "I can only say that I have yet to find a person more dedicated to education or one who is as highly qualified."

"The Own-Withee High School had become a leader in educational excellence under the strong leadership of Terry Downen, " said Art Feldman, Owen-Withee Elementary School principal.

The "Principal of the Year" program is a Wisconsin-based program that follows these guidelines: "The search is not for the best principals, but for those who exemplify the finest in the profession. Principals who are selected represent good principals throughout Wisconsin."

Downen and other two principals of the year were selected by a committee appointed by Grover which includes representatives from organizations of district administrators, principals, teachers, the state Parent-Teacher Association, and Lee Jacobi, Muskego, Wisconsin's 1982 High School Teacher of the Year.

Other principals recognized were Kathleen Harty, principal of Midvale Elementary School, Madison; and Andrew Douglas, principal of Bell Middle School, Milwaukee.

The three principals will be honored at the Wisconsin Association of School Administrators Convention in Stevens Point on October 27. Each will receive a plaque and a $1,000 award.

The awards, made possible by a contribution from the Fort Howard Paper Co., Green Bay. enabled the Department of Public Instruction to establish the Foundation for Excellence in Education out of which monetary awards are made to outstanding educators.