Honors and Awards


NAESP National Distinguished Principal® from Minnesota 

Nominations due November 1, 2024

Nominees must be active members of MESPA and belong to NAESP (being in at least their 3rd year of NAESP Active level membership by May of the nomination year); must be a participating principal with at least five years of experience; and must plan to continue as a practicing principal.

Congratulations to Minnesota's 2023 NAESP National Distinguished Principal® Brendan BogartRead more


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National Outstanding Assistant PrincipalTM from Minnesota

Nominations Due Oct 4, 2024


Nominees/Applicants must be members of MESPA and NAESP, an active assistant principal, and have been an active assistant principal for at least two years. 


Congratulations to Brett Lobben, Minnesota's 2024 NAESP National Outstanding Assistant PrincipalTM



Learn More         Nominate

STEM Innovation Award

Nominations Due Oct 4, 2024


The STEM Innovation Award, presented in partnership with MESPA and the Science Museum of Minnesota, gives principals the opportunity to share innovative programs and/or projects in their schools. An innovation database, created from entries for the award, is made available to MESPA members, helping schools across the state replicate their colleagues’ successes. The Science Museum of Minnesota will provide $300 of programming to the award winner.

Congratulations to Central Park Elementary School, our 2024 STEM Innovation Award Recipient.

Learn More              Nominate

MESPA Division Leadership Award

Nominations Due October 4, 2024

This award is an annual recognition made by each of MESPA's 12 divisions to honor their colleagues' leadership. Any MESPA member may nominate a peer for consideration; Division Presidents then facilitate the selection process within each division.


Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Division Leadership Award Recipients! To read the press releases, visit our news page.


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Minnesota School of Excellence Validation

Intent Due Oct 28, Application Due June 1, 


The Minnesota School of Excellence (SOE) program promotes excellence through a rigorous 1 or 2 year-long, self-directed evaluation process that showcases dynamic schools of the 21st century. The schools earn validation by completing a school community self-study, developing a plan to build on evident strengths & address areas needing improvement, and assessing ongoing results from implementing the plan. SOE also enables principals to earn CEU's. 


Learn More             Submit Intent


National Blue Ribbon Schools
In October of each year the Secretary of Education sends a letter of invitation to the CSSOs and CAPE requesting nominations of eligible schools.

See Most Recent Blue Ribbon Schools


Recognition for Outstanding Principals

MESPA strives to share the positive stories and accomplishments of Minnesota principals.
We annually honor the exceptional work of colleagues in the profession and in the broader education community.
These principals and their stories serve as inspirations to us all. 

Share your accomplishments with MESPA today! We'll highlight you in the weekly e-news. Send your accomplishments to mespa@mespa.net.


MESPA is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization

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