Milwaukee's Santiago Navarro named Wisconsin's Secondary School Principal of the Year

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's not unusual for students to gather for an assembly to hear a guest speaker or to recognize some of their fellow students. 

Thursday, at one hometown school, the kids got together to surprise their own principal with a special honor.

His name is Santiago Navarro and he's been the principal at Bruce*Guadalupe Middle School on Milwaukee's south side for just about 15 years. 

Thursday morning, he found out that he's been chosen as Wisconsin's Secondary School Principal of the Year. He was presented with the award in front of his family, his staff and his students. 

"So this is truly a shock to me right now and I'm trying to absorb it all in," Navarro said. "But I feel honored that so many people came to attend and see some of the faces who have been big supporters of me and really helped guide me through my entire career."

Bruce-Guadalupe Middle School in Walker's Point is described as a nonprofit, non-sectarian charter school dedicated to creating high expectations and excellence for students. 

The Principal of the Year award is given by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators.