2025 National Distinguished Principal Program (closed for 2025)
2025 National Distinguished Principal Program (closed for 2025)Recognizing Excellence in Elementary and Middle-Level School Leadership
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The National Distinguished Principals® (NDP) program was established in 1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for the students, families, and staffs in their learning communities. MAESP along with NAESP proudly announce the fortieth annual National Distinguished Principals Program. The program is based on three fundamental ideas:
- Children’s attitudes towards learning and their perceptions of themselves as lifelong learners are established in the beginning school years.
- The scope and quality of children’s educational experiences are determined primarily by the school principal, who establishes, through the important work of teachers and the support of caring parents, the character of a particular school’s program.
- The dedication and enthusiasm of the outstanding principals who guide children’s early education experiences should be acknowledged to both show appreciation for their work as well as to allow them to serve as models for others in the field.
Each year, NDPs represent pre-K–8 public schools from across the country, as well as principals in U.S. private schools and those from the United States Departments of Defense Office of Educational Activity and the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools. Public school elementary and middle-level principals are nominated by peers in their state, and final selections are made by committees appointed by each of NAESP’s state affiliate offices. Honorees from private schools and overseas schools are selected by special committees.
Criteria established by NAESP require that the individual is a practicing principal with at least five years’ experience in the principalship, who plans to continue as a practicing principal. The principal must demonstrate evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and education profession and:
Be a current NAESP member and must have been a member for at least one year at the time of nomination and maintain membership through the conclusion of the NAESP NDP Award Ceremony;
Has been a building principal (not assistant principal) for five years;
Is clearly committed to excellence;
Leads a school that has programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students; and
Has firm ties to parents and the community.
PLEASE NOTE
Anyone currently holding a position on the NAESP Board of Directors, during the official nomination time period, or during the year they would serve as NDP is ineligible for NDP selection.
Elementary school NDP candidates must be principals of schools with students in either grades pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, or 4, though older students may attend as well. Middle level school NDP candidates must be principals of schools with students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and/or 8 only. (In the case of a 4-5 only school it will be at the discretion of the state to decide whether to consider the principal an elementary or middle-level candidate.)
If you are interested in applying or in nominating a candidate for the National Distinguished Principal® award, please complete this form and send it to Sue Myers smmyers@aacps.org along with an attached letter (not to exceed two pages) identifying the strengths and skills that you feel make the candidate eligible for this award.
Nominations MUST be submitted by January 28, 2025 to: Susan Myers, Principal smmyers@aacps.org
Maryland nominees will be required to complete the formal application form upon notification from MAESP's selection committee.
MAESP's deadline for sending Maryland's NDP
information to NAESP is May 2, 2025
If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Christopher Wooleyhand, Executive Director at chriswooleyhand@maesp.org or Susan Myers at smmyers@aacps.org
Maryland National Distinguished Principals:
2025- Dr. Ryan Daniel, Prince George's County
2024- Dr. Raegon Clutz, Jr, Washington County, Melissa Shindel, Howard County
2023- E. Rodney Walker, Anne Arundel County
2022- Blaine Hawley, Harford County
2021- Dr. Glen Messier, Carroll County
2020- Troy Barnes, Frederick County
2019 - Edward C. Cosentino, Howard County
2018 - Tracy Hilliard, Frederick County
2017- Dr. Michael Browne, Worcester County
2016 - Kristen Shields, Cecil County
2015 – Carol Hahn, Howard County
2014 - Susan Myers, Anne Arundel County
2013 - Karen Barnes, Baltimore County
2012 - Gary Llewellyn, Allegany County
2011 – Robert L. Wagner, Anne Arundel County
2010 – Anne Gold, Baltimore County
2009 - Dr. Dana McCauley, Garrett County
2008 – Carol Leveillee, Charles County
2007 – Irma Elizabeth Johnson, Baltimore County