Bridgewater Middle principal named Principal of the Year finalist for OCPS

Amy Klaber, the principal of Bridgewater Middle School, has been named a finalist for Orange County Public Schools' Principal of the Year. 

Other finalists include Cicely Marks from Eccleston Elementary School and Johndrell Jones from Liberty Middle School. 

Klaber has been at Bridgewater Middle as principal since 2022.

Klaber has spearheaded academic and cultural turnarounds in three schools. 

She has enhanced student performance for students with disabilities at Bridgewater Middle by optimizing scheduling to increase instructional times. 

Disciplinary referrals have decreased by 50% as Klaber effectively has enforced the school's cell phone policy. 

Her "people-first" approach and commitment to team-led improvements sets her apart, according to a news release from OCPS.

"Amy leads with heart," said Matt Hendricks, the principal at Atwater Bay Elementary. "She knows every child by name and every staff member by strength." 

Klaber actively mentors other principals, conducts workshops and shares her skilled staff with other schools. 

The winner of Principal of the Year, as well as Assistant Principal of the Year and District Administrator of the Year, will be announced at the Stellar Awards Jan. 30, 2026, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.