When Ross Lunceford was made principal of Ogden’s Lincoln Elementary, he made it his habit to pick up garbage outside of the building every morning before school. It wasn’t long before students started joining him.

“He’d go out there, and they would all just kind of follow him around,” said Sandy Coroles, Ogden School District’s superintendent. “He was proud of his school, and sent that message.”

More than that, she said, he sent a message that he cared about the students.

“He was very visible with the kids. They knew who he was,” she said. “He was quick in learning their names, so he created those relationships with students.”

The National Association of Elementary School Principals named Lunceford Utah’s 2015 National Distinguished Principal. He’ll be formally recognized in Washington D.C, in October. The award is given for excellence in leadership skills, and attention to student needs, and Coroles says Lunceford fits the bill.

“Ross is very good, and always has been since the beginning of his career with Ogden School District, at building staff culture — at building that trust together,” she said. “When he would ask the staff to join him in something, to do something different in school or add something new, they trusted him and that he always knew what was in the best interest of students and staff.”

While Lunceford was principal at Horace Mann Elementary, he set high expectations for students and teachers. The school, which is a Title I elementary with a high poverty rate, received an “A” grade on its state report card.

He was placed as principal at Lincoln Elementary school in February of this year.

“I think because of his sense of urgency, he’s turned things around quickly there,” said Coroles, noting that preliminary assessment results seem strong.

Lunceford has been an educator for 18 years. When he was principal at James Madison Elementary, he worked with families to increase academic achievement. One way he did that, according to a press release about his accomplishments, was to make home visits and speak to parents in their primary language.

“He is fluent in Spanish,” said Coroles.

He encouraged the increased use of technology in the classroom, but also used visual and performing arts to reach and teach students.

“He works very well with tough kids,” said Coroles, explaining that Horace Mann Elementary had two classrooms for students with serious behavior disorders. “He had many challenges in those two classrooms.”

Lunceford gives credit for his success to teachers.

“A lot of my job is to get the right people in the right place, and to get them the resources and training they need to allow the kids to be successful. If they’re successful, I am successful,” he was quoted as saying, in the press release announcing his award.

In October, which is National Principals Month, Lunceford will travel to Washington D.C. to be honored with other school administrators from across the country.

Contact reporter Becky Wright at 801-625-4274 or bwright@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @ReporterBWright.