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The NAESP National Distinguished Principal® (NDP) Program was established in 1984 as an annual event to honor exemplary elementary and middle school principals who set the pace, character, and quality of the education children receive during their early school years.
The program is sponsored by MESPA and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The program highlights the fundamental importance of the school principal in achieving educational excellence for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students.
One principal is chosen annually from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Public school principals are nominated by peers in their home states, and the final selection (based on applications submitted by each nominee) are made by each state's NAESP affiliate. (MESPA selects the Minnesota NDP.) NDP awards ceremonies take place in Washington, D.C. each fall.
Eligible Candidates for the Award: Candidate must be an active member of MESPA and belong to NAESP (for at least one year at the time of nomination) and must maintain membership through the conclusion of the NAESP Award Ceremony; must be a participating principal with at least five years of experience (only those years served as a building principal, not assistant principal, may count toward the necessary five); and must plan to continue as a practicing principal.
2024, Dr. Fatima Lawson, St. Paul 2023, Brendan Bogart, Alexandria 2022, Ariana Wright, Kasson-Mantorville 2020, Bret Domstrand, Lakeville | 2010, Sanford Nelson, Detroit Lakes 2008, Dr. Gail M. Swor, Bloomington 2007, Jolene Jans Landwer, Coleraine 2006, Diane M. Moeller, St. Cloud | 1997, Diane Trisko, Rochester 1996, Jeffrey Raison, Minneapolis 1995, Janet Pladson, Bloomington |