Public school principals are nominated by peers in their home
states, and the final selection for each state's NDP is made by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) state affiliate with a selection committee. (Note: Principals must be nominated for the award by someone else; they cannot self-nominate.)
January 2, 2012: Nomination forms are due in the MESPA office. Applicants must be nominated by someone else; they cannot self-nominate.
January 23, 2012:
Completed applications due in the MESPA office, with the 4 letters of feference, a 3-5 minute introductory video, and two professional photos. (Incomplete or late
application or missing documents will disqualify the applicant.) January 31, 2012:
Selection Committee meets and selects three NDP finalists -- based on a numeric algorithm in scoring the applications and references. (The committee
is comprised of MESPA's 12 Division Presidents and the most recent NDP -- Joan Franks is our 2011 Minnesota NDP; Steven Geis, the MESPA NAESP State Representative serves as the NDP
Selection Committee chair.)
May 4, 2012: The Selection Committee interviews the finalists and selects the 2012 MESPA National Distinguished Principal.
October 18-19, 2012: NAESP recognition ceremonies held in Washington D.C.
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