Brad Ellebracht, Mexico High School (MHS) principal, has been selected as the Eastern MO National Speech and Debate (NSDA) High School Administrator of the Year. The NSDA recognizes an outstanding …
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Brad Ellebracht, Mexico High School (MHS) principal, has been selected as the Eastern MO National Speech and Debate (NSDA) High School Administrator of the Year. The NSDA recognizes an outstanding high school administrator who has succeeded in providing high-quality opportunities for students in speech and debate programming and has demonstrated exemplary contributions to the profession.
Ellebracht received his award on March 16 at the EastMo National Speech and Debate District Tournament at Ladue High School. Four Mexico High students were in attendance, and all four advanced to the national semifinals.
Nominated by 30-year veteran teacher Sara Given, the two worked together in the fine arts department at MHS prior to Ellebracht’s tenure as an administrator when Ellebract was the high school art teacher.
“[When Mr. Ellebract was our Fine Arts chair in 2002,] he was great at keeping a wide variety of personalities focused and helping all of us to find our purpose and our place in a core-driven school system,” Given, who is retiring after a 30-year-career, said. “This was only the beginning of his leadership role in our school. As the current Fine Arts Department chair, I have relied on his mentoring and support on many occasions. Brad is the kind of person who genuinely cares about the students and staff. He wants what is best for students, and he wants teachers to be the best they can be for students.”
Ellebracht believes high school students need to speak, perform, and advocate either as an academic exercise or as a response to something happening in the world.
“Organizations like NSDA, that encourage kids to learn the skills to do these things effectively and appropriately, are important in our schools and our society,” Ellebracht said. “I am honored to be recognized by the Eastern Missouri NSDA and by Ms. Given in particular. She will leave a legacy of advocates and performers all over our community and communities all over.”
Ellebracht’s award automatically enters him into the national competition. He joined the Mexico School District in 2000. He moved into the MHS Assistant Principal position in 2012 and was named lead principal in 2017.
