Two principals and a staff member at the South Carolina Department of Education have been honored for outstanding performance in the School Leadership Institute, a two- year course that brings together principals from across the state to develop and refine their management, communication, and instructional practices.

"These individuals are Tenenbaum Award recipients because they meant the most to their group's learning," said Sally Barefoot, director of the Office of School Leadership in the State Department of Education. The award is named for former State Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, who created the institute eight years ago.

Winners for the 2009 graduating classes are Roderic Taylor, principal of Dutch Fork Middle School in Lexington/Richland School District Five; Keith Price, principal of Blythewood High School in Richland County School District Two for the past two years; and Mike Thun, education associate in the Office of School Leadership.