Mountain View assistant principal earns national recognition

During an awards assembly at Mountain View Elementary School on Friday, Assistant Principal Aubrie Ellis entered in an inflatable eagle costume, riding a scooter and high-fiving students as they were recognized for a variety of achievements. She hadn’t been told she was set to be honored as well, named the 2025 National Outstanding Assistant Principal by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals.

Nikiski North Star Principal Jenna Fabian appeared at the assembly as a member of both the Alaska and National Associations of Elementary School Principals to announce the award. She was joined in celebrating Ellis by Mountain View Principal Hannah Dolphin; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland; KPBSD Assistant Principal Kari Dendurent; KPBSD Director of Human Resources Nate Crabtree; KPBSD Board of Education Member Patti Truesdell; and Rep. Justin Ruffridge.

The National Outstanding Principal program, Fabian said, serves “to honor assistant principals who make stellar contributions to their learning communities.” She said she was excited to honor Ellis for her work and recognize her with that honor.

Holland described Ellis as kind, willing to have fun — evidenced by her receiving the award in an eagle costume — and distinguished both for her contributions to the school and the district.

Dolphin also thanked Ellis for her contributions to Mountain View.

“I couldn’t do my job without you,” she said. “Thank you for everything you do for our school — we love you so much.”

Ellis said she was excited about the award — more excited to work with the teachers, staff and students of Mountain View Elementary.

“It is because of you and your excellence that I am able to strive and do a great job at my job,” she said. “Because you guys are awesome.”

Similarly, speaking after the ceremony, she credited Dolphin and Mountain View’s staff for providing a support system to empower her work. But, she said, it’s the students that keep her energized.

“What I love about this school is the kids,” she said. “Kids are able to totally change your day for the better. They’re able to surprise you. They’re able to transform how they view things so easily in a positive way.”

Ellis said Mountain View’s students inspire her.

“Our kids are so resilient. Our kids are so brave and able to push through things that are so challenging. That is why I’m here — for all the amazing things they do.”

A press release from the association says that Ellis taught in Germany, England and Virginia before coming to Mountain View in 2023. She was recognized for her work to develop intramural athletics at the elementary school level, as well as for her talent at creating a positive school climate and supporting an effective learning space in Mountain View. She was selected, per the release, through a statewide nomination process.

Holland said after the awards ceremony that recognition at the state and national level afforded to KPBSD staff like Ellis and others reflects well on the skilled professionals in district schools, but also on their colleagues and the district as a whole.

Ellis isn’t the only member of Mountain View’s staff being recognized for their work this month. Mountain View Paraprofessional Alicia Rodarte-Gouldin was honored as the Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education Paraeducator of the Year on Thursday for her “profound impact on some of the school’s most vulnerable students,” per a release from the district. Secretary Kimb Remsen is set to be recognized with a Golden Apple Award at the KPBSD Board of Education’s next meeting on Jan. 13.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.