National Outstanding Assistant Principal 2026-2027
Nominations for 2026-2027 are open!
MAESP will recognize one elementary and one middle level winner.
The Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals are committed to preparing assistant principals to step into the principal role. Recognition for the exceptional leadership of the men and women who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of pre-K–8 schools instills pride in their accomplishments and reinforces their leadership in helping children develop a lifelong love of learning.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Nominees must be a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals at the time of nomination and must maintain membership through July 31, 2027.
- Nominees must be an active assistant principal at the time of nomination.
- Nominees must be an active assistant principal for at least two years.
- Nominees must contribute to the well-being of the educational community.
- Nominees must contribute to a positive and motivating environment for others.
- Nominees must have a strong record of service (in both school and community) and be recognized as a leader.
- Nominees must exhibit exceptional leadership in a particular school program and/or is heavily involved in finding a solution to a problem faced by the school.
The nomination process requires two-steps for elementary and middle-level assistant principals to be considered:
Step I: The nomination form and a nomination letter (in PDF format) completed by the nominees current supervisor (not to exceed two pages) must be sent via email to Dr. Raegon Clutz, Jr. (ClutzRae@wcps.k12.md.us) AND Dr. Christopher Wooleyhand (chriswooleyhand@maesp.org) no later than November 10, 2026.
Step 2: After review by the MAESP awards committee, eligible nominees will be sent a link to the NAESP online platform where they will complete a required set of forms that must be submitted by December 21, 2026.
Winners will be announced in January and celebrated at our annual assistant principals conference on February 23, 2027.
A panel of MAESP members will review and select Maryland's winner.
Honorees will be awarded complimentary registration by NAESP to the 2027 NAESP conference in Denver, Colorado July 22 - 24.
Past Winners
Dr. Rhoda Núñez-Donnelly- Middle Level
Briana Walker- Elementary Level
Dr. Sonia Matthew- Elementary Level
Heather Moraff- Elementary Level
Frank Klauder- Elementary Level
Sonia Hurd- Elementary Level
Dr. Andrea Thompson- Elementary Level
If you have any questions, please contact:
Dr. Christopher Wooleyhand, Executive Director at chriswooleyhand@maesp.org or Dr. Raegon Clutz, Jr., awards committee chair, at ClutzRae@wcps.k12.md.us