Carl Burnside, principal at Dunbar High School, is the 2025 Principal of the Year. PROVIDED

The School District of Lee County has announced that Carl Burnside, principal at Dunbar High School, is the 2025 Principal of the Year. Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin, Board members, District administrators and Dunbar staff surprised Burnside with the award Friday morning. He will go on to represent the School District of Lee County in the Florida Department of Education’s Principal of the Year competition.

“It’s not a job for me,” Burnside said after receiving his award. “It’s a mission and a ministry that I still stay inspired by. I stay at the school because it’s all about the kids. I always say when I make decisions that if I make decisions that are best for the children then I can never go wrong.”

Burnside has dedicated 38 years to the School District of Lee County. He was a math teacher for seven years and Golden Apple winner before becoming an assistant principal. Burnside has been principal at Dunbar High School for 25 years. Under this leadership, Dunbar High was the first Microsoft Certified high school in the world and has produced three Microsoft World Champions, six national champions and 25 state champions. Dunbar students have earned thousands of IT professional computer certifications, excelled in state, national and international STEM competitions, and staff have been honored as Teacher of the Year, Coach of the Year, Golden Apple winners and recognized as industry leaders.

“Mr. Burnside puts the interest of his students, faculty, and staff first, and the motto of the Dunbar High School, ‘Achievement is the Expectation,’ characterizes the level of academic achievement that is exemplified by his students locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally,” said Larry Stephens, Chief Operations Officer.

Regional Associate Superintendent Cherise Trent added, “Mr. Burnside is a model instructional leader. His dedication and commitment to staff, students and the school community is unparalleled. His passion is reflected in the sacrifices made to ensure that ‘achievement is the expectation’ at Dunbar High School.”

North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts Assistant Principal Jill Cooke is the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year. PROVIDED

Burnside is highly regarded by his peers for his leadership and expertise. He has served as a principal lead, mentor to new principals, and facilitator of professional learning for assistant principals. His influence extends district-wide, where he represents his colleagues as a member of the collective bargaining team. Burnside’s unwavering commitment to excellence, his passion for education, and his dedication to student success have left a lasting impact on Dunbar High School and the entire school district.

North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts Assistant Principal Jill Cooke is the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year.

Cooke began her career in Lee County in 1998. She has served as a teacher, a teacher leader, and a professional development specialist, before becoming an assistant principal in 2017. She will go on to represent the School District of Lee County in the Florida Department of Education’s Assistant Principal of the Year competition.

“Dr. Carlin and I go way back so it’s very special receiving the award from you,” Cooke said. “Kids are always first and foremost in my mind. They’re they whole reason I do the job. Thank you for the kind words.”

Cooke uses her knowledge and experience to support teachers in the lesson planning process by analyzing data and coaching teachers in using best practices. She is known as a doer on campus and has a talent for making everyone feel valued.

“Mrs. Cooke is passionate about students being academically successful, said North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts Principal Andy Miller. “She knows the importance of positive recognition. She is creative and has a talent for creating fun and exciting ways to celebrate students and staff.”

School administrators, employees, students, and members of the community nominated deserving principals and assistant principals. Nominated administrators then submitted a writing task which was reviewed by a committee of stakeholders to select the award recipient.

Burnside and Cooke will be recognized by the School Board as Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year in February. Florida’s Department of Education will announce the finalists and winners of state Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year next spring.

The School District of Lee County would like to thank Suncoast Credit Union for sponsoring the Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year recognitions.