When Bobbie Skaggs, principal of Colorado's Finest High School of Choice in Englewood, found out she was being honored as principal of the year, she thought it was a joke.

“When I first heard, it was on April Fools' Day. I thought they were kidding me,” Skaggs said.

It was no joke that Skaggs was named the 2019 high school principal of the year by the Colorado Association of School Executives, an organization that works to empower Colorado education leaders. Along with Skaggs, Jenny Buster, principal of Clayton Elementary in Englewood, was also honored by the organization when she was bestowed the Reba Ferguson Memorial Elementary School Rookie Principal of the Year.

“These awards show that the rest of the education community in Colorado is noticing that great things are happening in Englewood. Englewood is on the move and people are noticing,” said Wendy Rubin, superintendent of Englewood Schools.

Buster has been an educator for more than 20 years, and she is coming up on her third year at Clayton Elementary. She oversees about 500 students and said she is proud of the increase in student achievement at the school.

“The community is really supportive and passionate about their school and kids. It really makes a difference,” Buster said.

She added she is receiving her award on behalf of Clayton Elementary staff.

Skaggs said being in education is a gift and honor, because she gets the opportunity to work with the future generation.

“We've had a lot of success here. I've just been really proud of the program here in Englewood,” Skaggs said.