November 29, 2022

(Hoover, AL) - The Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA) recognized Riverchase Elementary School Principal Dr. Alice Turney as the AAESA District IV National Distinguished Principal nominee for 2023. She received an award for the honor on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, during the AAESA Fall Instructional Leadership Conference.  

The AAESA National Distinguished Principal program is the state recognition program of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal program, which recognizes elementary and middle-level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, and character. Every year, each AAESA district selects one nominee for Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal. 

Dr. Turney said, "I am honored to represent my colleagues from Hoover and surrounding districts from AAESA District IV. I am blessed to work with them as they challenge me to be better for the community I serve. There is a long legacy of outstanding principals selected from the metro Birmingham school area in District IV, including Dr. Dil Uswatte from Rocky Ridge Elementary School. I am honored to be included in the same ranks as these outstanding leaders. "

Dr. Turney will now compete against eight other district nominees across the state for the title of the 2023 National Distinguished Principal for Alabama. Each finalist will host a site visit of judges, and the winner will be announced in the spring. Dr. Turney was the 2022 AAESA District IV National Distinguished Principal nominee and a top-three finalist for the 2022 National Distinguished Principal Award for Alabama. Dr. Turney says the National Distinguished Principal Award process is incredible, and she looks forward to the next steps.

Vic Wilson, executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), said, "Dr. Turney is an exceptional educational leader and an even better person. Her colleagues made a great choice as the District IV AAESA National Distinguished Principal winner, and she will have a great chance to be selected as one of three finalists in the coming weeks."

Dr. Turney has been an educator for a total of 26 years and spent 18 of those years at Riverchase Elementary School, first as assistant principal and for the last eight years as the principal. She graduated from the University of West Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and a Master's in Educational Leadership. She attended Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida, where she earned her Specialist and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her post-graduate studies were at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Turney recently earned a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School Online in conjunction with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Turney was the 2021 president of the AAESA for District IV and was the treasurer in 2019.  She was selected for and completed the Georgia State Department Leadership Academy. She is a member of CLAS and NAESP.

Her colleagues at Riverchase Elementary School describe her as an excellent principal with an outstanding character who treats everyone respectfully. She leads by example, demonstrates an unsurpassed servant approach to leadership, and has natural giftedness and a drive for excellence. 

“The people I work alongside inspire me daily. The faculty and staff challenge me to be my best self for our kids. I am thankful to be part of the wonderful Riverchase community for nearly two decades. It is a very special place for me. I am honored to be recognized, but I realize that this award is not just about me but the amazing people that I work with as well. They share my passion for learning, growing, and continually improving for the benefit of our students at Riverchase. I am fortunate to get to do what I love and share my passion for learning every day to make a positive difference,” said Dr. Turney.