2019 – Eric Flohr
Hononegah Community High School, Rockton
A.S. Biology, Illinois Valley Community College
B.S. Biological Education, Illinois State University
M.S. Educational Administration and Foundations; Illinois State University
CAS, Superintendent Endorsement, Educational Administration, Eastern Illinois University
As an Eagle Scout, a high school science teacher (1988-1996) and a principal (1995-2019), Eric Flohr has always set and achieved goals. One of Flohr’s goals is for teachers to be there 100% for the students and to always provide them their best. Kelsey Zammuto got on board during her interview with him. “He gave me a sense of purpose … I didn’t want to disappoint him.” “He helped re-spark my passion for teaching.” He also instills pride in others as he models positive relationship building. His Twitter handle, @HononegahPrin demonstrates his pride as “YOUR principal” (his daily greeting).
Flohr loves to celebrate staff’s hard work and accomplishments as well as student successes – artistic, athletic and academic. He has solidified the school values of community and collaboration. Students know how Flohr roots for and values them. At games, the very visible Hononegah fan embodies school spirit in a bright purple Hononegah blazer and spirit socks, while energetically urging everyone in the student section to cheer on the team. When Margaret Moore’s son learned his team qualified for the state math competition, he couldn’t wait to tell “his principal.” She says when Flohr presents awards, he brags about the students “as if they were his kids.” She concluded that he “truly believes in what students can accomplish; this magically turns into students believing in themselves and their abilities. His positive attitude, charisma and authenticity make him a great student leader.” Abigail Trefilek says he created a “positive learning environment for students and positive working environment for all staff.”
To see Flohr’s spark yourself, search “Hononegah Principal” on youtube.com. In one video, he claps for and gives the Class of 2018 an “A” for wrapping everything, even his scissors, in tin foil. In some schools, such pranks have negative consequences, but Flohr understood this act meant the students knew he cared and that something good was going on in his school. Several videos include his take on something Golden Apple teachers, staff and volunteers were all too familiar with this year: snow days. Hear his memorable school closure message at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWoZ1QsFYKM.