Dr. Sean Gallagan, an alumnus and adjunct faculty member of the Adrian Dominican School of Education, was selected by the Miami-Dade County Public School District as Principal of the Year on May 25, 2011. Mr. Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade Superintendent of Schools, described Dr. Gallagan as an inspirational leader and also praised his humanitarian work.
Dr. Gallagan is the Principal of the George T. Baker Aviation School which is located adjacent to the Miami International Airport. This is the only public school in Miami-Dade County which is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to prepare approximately 1,500 high school and adult students for careers in aviation.
“It is a true honor to be recognized by my colleagues and peers as the Principal of the Year. As an educator and a leader, I take it very personally that I am preparing my students in not only their chosen career path, but in life,” said Dr. Gallagan.
An experienced pilot, Dr. Gallagan helped secure the donation from American Airlines of a 140 passenger MD-80 aircraft to the George T. Baker Aviation School and assisted a team of Miami-Dade educators including Mr. Carvalho to fly to Haiti immediately after the earthquake.
Last December, Dr. Gallagan received his PhD in Leadership and Education with a Specialization in Educational Technology and is an adjunct faculty member for the Master’s and Specialist in Educational Leadership program at Barry’s School of Education.
“Barry University has been part of my life from high school to graduate school. I first attended Barry University through a dual enrollment program at Chaminade High School in the mid 80's,” said Dr. Gallagan. “While a middle school assistant principal, I realized that attaining a doctorate was a goal that I wanted to achieve. I am privileged to now be a part of a university that has added so much to me personally as well as professionally. Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today if it were not for Barry University.”