Four area public school principals have received the R.E.B. Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership.

Daniela Jacobs, principal of William Fox Elementary School in Richmond; Kimberly Sigler, principal of Pocahontas Middle School in Henrico County; Charles Stevens, principal of Lee-Davis High School in Hanover County; and Dr. Lisa Hill, principal of Hopkins Elementary in Chesterfield County are the 2018-19 R.E.B. Award winners.

Winners receive $7,500 for personal development and an additional $7,500 for school projects of their choosing.

One principal from each of the area school divisions is selected each year for the award, which serves to “recognize the principals who go beyond the day-to-day demands of their position to create an exceptional educational environment.”

The award stresses management and communication skills, and the ability to inspire, encourage and advocate for the school.

Ms. Jacobs, who was nominated by Fox Elementary School parents, won a R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence in 2013. With that award, she traveled to Australia and New Zealand to study the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests. She has been the principal at Fox since July 2005.

“I am humbled, thankful and excited. It is so nice to be recognized. Everything we do here is for the students and the community,” Ms. Jacobs said.

“I am glad to have the opportunity to do more,” she said, talking about her school project. “We’ve introduced yoga to our students, and this year we’ve started mindfulness. The next step, which I have been working with my PTA for the last few years, is to refurbish and renew a space to put in updated playground equipment focused on fitness.”

Ms. Jacobs was recognized at the Richmond School Board on Monday, along with Candace Veney-Chaplin, principal of Open High School, was also nominated for the award.