Principal of Kingman’s St. Patrick Catholic School honored

Bob Lyall, principal of St. Patrick Catholic School in Kingman, was honored this week with the Terrel H. Bell Award for school leadership.

The award, named for the former U.S. Secretary of Education, recognizes outstanding school leaders and the role they play in overcoming challenging circumstances and fostering successful teaching and learning. Lyall was one of six principals in the country to receive the award, which is given only to principals of National Blue Ribbon Schools.

St. Patrick, part of the Wichita Catholic Diocese, was one of two Wichita-area schools recognized earlier this year as 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools. That award honors public or private schools where students either perform at high levels or make notable improvement in closing the achievement gap.

Lyall began working at St. Patrick in 2008. Jamie Finkeldei, assistant superintendent of Wichita Catholic Schools, nominated him for the national award.

This story was originally published November 13, 2014 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Principal of Kingman’s St. Patrick Catholic School honored."