NAESP Recognizes Outstanding Elementary and Middle School Principals

• By Scott Aronowitz
• 10/26/09

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has named 63 K-8 principals throughout the United States as 2009 National Distinguished Principals (NDP).

The NDP program was started in 1984 to recognize principals who are true leaders and whose contributions have significant and lasting impact. "Great principals are leaders who can change belief systems, support teachers, and ensure all students have access to good instruction and opportunities to reach their academic potential," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in recognition of the 2009 NDP honorees. "We need thousands of great instructional leaders like the NDP Class of 2009 to instill the belief that every child can learn, help turn around the most chronically underperforming schools, and replicate models of success that can be found throughout our nation."

Added NAESP Executive Director Gail Connelly, "Principals empower teachers, galvanize parents and communities, and most important, ensure innovative learning environments so that the children they serve can reach their highest potential."

Distinguished principals are nominated by their peers, their employers, their faculty members, or members of their communities, and the final selections are made by NAESP state affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools. Those recognized by the NDP program were honored at a banquet in Washington, DC Friday, which featured a keynote speech by Secretary Duncan.

A list of the 2009 NDP honorees and their biographical information can be accessed here.