Westwood High School Associate Principal Kim Hodge has been named the recipient of the 2017 College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Award for Administrators for the Southwest region.
The College Board AP Award for Administrators recognizes an individual who has demonstrated significant positive impact on the AP Program within their school or district; supports and promotes the professional development of teachers, counselors, and AP Coordinators; and participates and contributes to the Southwestern Regional and College Board forums, workshops, conferences, and activities, according to the organization.
“Kim is a valuable and hardworking member of our staff, a great friend to many, and an advocate for all students,” Westwood Principal Mario Acosta said. “We are focused at Westwood on serving all students and Kim is an integral part of that mission.”
Hodge has been a strong advocate for increasing AP participation and inclusion at Westwood since she stepped into her role as assistant principal six years ago. Throughout her time in Westwood administration, the number of students who enrolled in AP classes nearly doubled from 800 students to 1,400 students. Westwood students completed 3,200 AP exams during the 2016 testing period.
“We’ve grown our AP program and have closed the gap of underrepresented students quite a bit,” Hodge said. “I’m excited and thankful for the team I work with because it takes a village to serve our students.”
Hodge, who is the sole AP coordinator that sits on the College Board Southwestern Regional Council, was nominated for the award by Michelle Swain, Round Rock ISD director of gifted and advanced academics. Hodge and Swain have actively collaborated to support AP teachers and coordinators across the District.
“Kim Hodge is a dedicated professional who strives to go above and beyond in support of her students,” Swain said. “She consistently seeks new and innovative ways to support student participation and performance in the AP Program for her campus and the District. Through her efforts, Westwood continues to see growth in both areas.”
