2026 National Distinguished Principal Program

Recognizing Excellence in Elementary and Middle-Level School Leadership

Applications for 2026 are open and must be submitted by January 26, 2026.  Nominees must submit this signed nomination form to Tracy Hilliard, tracy.hilliard@fcps.org, then complete the online forms using this link.  Applicants are required to create a login to submit their information.

Maryland can submit two winners, one elementary level principal, and one middle level principal.

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.  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

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.)

Two steps to nominate/apply

1- Submit this NDP Nomination form to Tracy Hilliard tracy.hilliard@fcps.org.

AND

2- Complete the NDP application forms online by January 26, 2026.  Applicants will be required to set up a login in order to submit all forms.

For more information, please contact tracy.hilliard@fcps.org or chriswooleyhand@maesp.org

APPLICATION PACKET REVIEW

A panel of MAESP members will review and select Maryland's winner(s), who will be notified in April.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. Christopher Wooleyhand, Executive Director at chriswooleyhand@maesp.org or Tracy Hilliard at tracy.hilliard@fcps.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